Rival #BringBackOurGirls group says protests should be against Boko Haram

A rival group campaigning in the Federal Capital Territory for the rescue of more than 200 abducted Chibok schoolgirls has urged all “protesters” to direct their protests at Boko Haram and not the government.

The group, which claims it does not criticise or pressure the government but supports its effort at combating terrorism, is known as Grand Alliance Against Terrorism (GAAT).

Speaking with TheCable, co-convener of the group, Princess Onuoha, said the aim of group is “not to box the government into a corner” but to show solidarity with it in the fight against terrorism.

“The group has been in operation since 2012 and its sole aim is to unite Nigerians against terrorism,” she said, emphasising that instead of directing protests at the government, the group directs its protests at Boko Haram.

She debunked insinuations that the group is paid to support the government, saying: “Grand Alliance against Terrorism is a group of concerned Nigerians who do not want Nigeria to break. What we are trying to come against is the point where people cripple the government.

“We do not want a situation in which there will be too much pressure on the government. Bomb blasts occurred in the United States, and nobody protested against the government. We want Nigerians to show solidarity with the government against Boko Haram.”

She also denied that GAAT is a group set up to nullify the Hadiza Bala Usman-led #BringBackOurGirls campaign group, which has been pressuring the government into rescuing the abducted girls safely.