By Banji Ayoola
The Coalition of Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders of Nigeria, CENYLON, at the weekend resolved to embark on independent investigations to discover and publish the names of prominent Nigerians who are allegedly sponsoring terrorism, insurgency and banditry in the country.
In a statement signed jointly by the coalition’s National President, Comrade Eric Oluwole and Public Relations Officer, Engr. Salahudeen A. Lukman, the officers said that this forms part of the resolutions taken at a crucial meeting of its National Executive Council in Abuja.
It was titled: “Boko Haram and Other Terrorism Sponsors in Nigeria: It Is Time to Name Them, CENYLON Declares.”
According to the statement, the planned independent investigations and publications of the names by the group became important in view of the recent declaration by the United States of her readiness to expose the sponsors of terrorism, insurgency and banditry in Nigeria.
Besides, it said the actions became necessary due to the perceived delay of the Nigerian presidency, in publishing the names, arresting and prosecuting over 400 sponsors of terrorism, insurgency and banditry it allegedly claimed were in its possession.
It noted that this perceived delay by government in publishing the names, arresting and prosecuting sponsors of Boko Haram insurgency, terrorism and banditry “no matter how highly placed in the country or the government is systematically prolonging the days of terrorists in our dear nation.”
The statement said: “We resolved at our National Executive Council meeting held over the weekend to commence independent investigation to make public the names of those sponsoring terrorism and terrorist Boko Haram and banditry in Nigeria.
“This became important in the heat of the declaration by the United States of America of readiness to expose the sponsors; the statement by the Nigerian presidency which once gave a report containing over 400 insurgency sponsors in her possession; the continued delay in making these names public; as well as in arresting and prosecuting the culprits no matter how placed in the country or the government which are systematically prolonging the days of terrorists in our dear nation.
“CENYLON strongly believes that an end to insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria is only achievable when the source of funding is terminated.
“It therefore means that every effort to expose the SPONSORS is patriotic hence our constitution of an independent investigating team who are to work with the US Embassy in Nigeria to actualize this sole objective.
“It is never an option to consider amnesty for bandits or Boko Haram members. In fact, the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members should be discontinued with immediate effect.
“We urge General Muhammadu Buhari to act fast on this security situation.”
