NIGERIA, 10 February 2020, TON: All of a sudden the international media, especially the renowned news and social media channels has started picking up fictitious video clips of brutality and torture and attributing them to Nigeria’s security forces. With attractive headings such as “disturbing scenes including images of torture” and “uncovered shocking video evidence that torture” these videos are being labeled if being committed by Nigerian police and armed forces.

Torture during interrogation and punishment to detainees, including children is being made public to pressurize Nigerian leadership to bow before international pressure. Interestingly, irrespective of it genuineness, the video clips of 2014 were kept confidential to make them public at appropriate time after six year, stressing on accountability. 

Ever since early this month, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, claimed that 90 per cent of Boko Haram targets are Muslims and not Christian. Things have moved against Nigerian government. Pro-west opposition party wanted the President to keep the truth secret as statement of President Buhari may divide Nigerians in their stance against terrorism and violence in Nigeria. 

The main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reacted strongly by saying Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) attach no value to the lives of Nigerians, dubbed his comments as “totally horrendous, un-presidential, scandalous, discriminatory, divisive and a huge spat on the grave of the victims”  and advised President to apologize. 

There is no doubt that the statement of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari is indicative that Boko Haram is a proxy against the Muslims and not the Christians as generally being perceived. 

Interestingly, if we recall, at EU parliament recently tabled a motion for a Resolution on cases of breaches of human rights including ongoing violence against Christians perpetrated by Boko Haram and ISWAP in Nigeria.  The motion called Nigeria to bring an end to violence against Christians and defend their right to worship.   

Washington has also ban on entry of nationals from Nigeria in USA and this proclamation will take effect on 22 February 2010. The statement from the officials of US Department of Homeland Security said, “US administration is not satisfied about pluralist reforms and sharing of data regarding terrorism including details of their visit, bank accounts and passport entries.”