Politicians under investigation for alleged link with terrorism

Coordinator of the national information centre and director-general of the national orientation agency, Mr Mike Omeri, has disclosed that some politicians, who are “members of a prominent political party” hare being interrogated for their involvement with Boko Haram.

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Omeri said that names of the concerned politicians would be made public when investigations into their involvement with the insurgents are concluded.

“After the last successful operations carried out by security forces to dislodge terrorists from their forest bases in the Darazo Local Government Area of the Balmo forest, some politicians are currently being investigated, following their link with the activities in the forest.

“The politicians are being interrogated following the recovery of some sensitive registration cards and other materials of a prominent political party that were found in the possession of some of the suspects arrested.

“Investigation is still ongoing to further unravel the identity of others that may have been involved and as soon as it is completed, we shall reveal the names of the culprits and political party.”

Omeri reiterated that the government is deeply involved in efforts to rescue the kidnapped Chibok girls, but details cannot be made available owing to the delicate nature of the operations.

He warned the public to be wary of recent online reports aimed at fuelling separatist agitations in certain parts of the country.

“These publications, to say the least, can only succeed in sowing seeds of hatred, rancour and confusion among peace-loving Nigerians,” he said.

“We therefore call on Nigerians, wherever they may find themselves, to ignore the obnoxious publications by some misguided elements who are bent on truncating the democratic process which the present administration is striving to nurture. The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable.”