Boko Haram: Expert Faults Adamawa’s N200m Prayer Warriors Initiative

By Patrick Aigbokhan

Jide Oluyemi, an Abuja-based security analyst has condemned an initiative by the Adamawa State Government to earmark N200 million to engage prayer warriors towards seeking divine intervention to tackle activities of the Boko Haram sect.
Oluyemi, who described the initiative in a report on Saturday as a poor one, also said it is a clueless option.
The Adamawa Government on Friday announced a package of N200m to engage prayer warriors towards seeking divine intervention to tackle activities of the terrorist group.
Alhaji Abdurahman Jimeta, Chief of Staff of the state governor made the disclosure in a media chat aired on the Adamawa State Television in Yola.
Jimeta explained that the money was sourced from the state and local governments’ joint account.
“We have earmarked N200m for prayers to seek for Allah’s intervention in tackling the Boko Haram menace and other insecurity challenges threatening the stability of the state,” he said.
The chief of staff added that part of the money would also be used to assist local vigilante teams and other security operatives.
Reacting to the move, Oluyemi said that even though prayers were necessary, they would not solve the Boko Haram problem.
He said, “This is a clueless option. It is not totally workable. I am not disputing that we should pray, but when we start budgeting money for spiritualists to fight Boko Haram, then there is a real problem. What we need are equipment and personnel to flush out the insurgents.”

…Adamawa Govt debunks report, uses N200m to bolster community surveillance

Adamawa State government has said that it was not using N200 million to mobilise prayer warriors against Boko Haram insurgents.

Rather, it is using the amount to strengthen existing community surveillance and intelligence gathering to checkmate the operations of the insurgents.

It was reported Friday that the Adamawa Government had earmarked N200 million to engage prayer warriors to seek divine intervention toward ending the state’s lingering security challenges.

This new position was made in a statement in Abuja by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mathias Yohanna.

The statement read in part: “One of the challenges inherited by the Government on assumption of office is the menace of Boko Haram insurgency.

“And as a serious and responsive government, it deemed it fit to tackle it head-on by evolving new security measures and sustaining the existing ones aimed at curbing the menace thereby enhancing security of lives and properties.

The correct position of the matter is that government has evolved a community mobilisation process intended to enhance peace and security in the state.

-Vanguard

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