FG should compensate B’Haram victims –APC

Interim National Chairman, All Progressive Congress, Chief Bisi Akande

The All Progressives Congress on Wednesday disagreed with President Goodluck Jonathan’s stand that the Federal Government would not compensate the victims of the Boko Haram killings.

The party said if the decision was upheld,  it would amount to double failure on the part of the Federal Government and double jeopardy for the victims.

A statement by the Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, in Abuja contained the party’s position.

Akande said in the first instance, the killings and maiming occurred because the Federal Government failed in its most important task of ensuring the security of lives and property.

He added that the same government that failed to live up to the main reason for its existence, which he said was the security and welfare of the citizenry, was now refusing to provide succour for the victims of its own failure.

He said, “This constitutes double irresponsibility on the part of the government, and double jeopardy for the thousands of victims who have been killed and wounded by the insurgents.

“After the people were victimised by Boko Haram, they are now being victimised by their government. This is unacceptable, and President Jonathan must have a rethink.

“The APC believes that the issue of compensation for victims of Boko Haram should not be subjected to any debate.”

He said all the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency must be compensated without delay, and that they must be given succour and be made to feel that their government cares for them.

He said though compensation would not bring back the thousands who had been killed, it would provide  succour for the family members left behind by the victims.

He said, “Compensation cannot remove the scars on those who have lost limbs or become blinded due to the effect of gunshots or bombs, but it can help them to restart their lives and to know that they are not alone in their ordeals.

“These people cut across religions, ethnicity and gender. They include Christians and Muslims, Igbo, Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba and people of other ethnic groups, as well as men and women, the old and the young.”