The Executive Secretary, Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (retd.) has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s December deadline to end terrorism is not sacrosanct.
The CCC boss made this known yesterday in a chat with journalists in Abuja.
According to Anas, though the military continues to degrade the ability of terrorists to capture and hold territories, the current December deadline to end terrorism should be reviewed.
He pointed out that while it might not be wrong to set targets for military operations, the target date might be unrealistic, saying the position of the Centre was based on the fact that asymmetrical warfare being waged against Nigeria by Boko Haram, is not easily stamped out.
He also described as unfortunate, secessionist agitations coming on the heels of the widely acclaimed free and fair elections that brought about a new government in Nigeria, warning that unguarded statements and violent demonstrations are unhelpful and have the potential to escalate unnecessary crisis.
The retired Air Commodore urged the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) to seek legitimate ways of channeling their grievances or any perceived socio-economic and political issues in their region within the current democratic space.
Anas also suggested the establishment of a lead government agency that will come up with a Marshall Plan for the rehabilitation of all the displaced people in the North East zone.
