Nigeria is prime target for Malian terrorists - FG

THE Federal Government on Thursday declared that the ultimate target of terrorists currently operating in northern Mali is Nigeria and therefore government is prepared to do all that is within its power to contain their ambition.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, who made this statement in an interview at the sidelines of the ongoing African Union Summit (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, rationalised the deployment of Nigerian troops in the West African country, saying that it was to ensure the survival of Nigeria.
According to him, “the events in Mali, if we don’t quickly stop it, will have effect on the whole of West Africa and Nigeria is their prime target. So, we need to act quickly, forcefully in Mali to stop them, to contain them, to destroy their capability to be able to launch any counter offensive within the sub region.”
He said that Nigeria was grateful to France for seizing the initiative to intervene but that Africans must now take charge henceforth to “ensure that we safeguard the territorial integrity of Mali and to make sure that we are able to stop the terrorists from advancing further because they are a threat, not just to Mali but to Nigeria and all countries in the sub region.”
Confident that the troops already on the ground in Mali would soon advance from the central part of the country to curtail the terrorists in the northern part of the country, the minister vowed that no place would be made available for criminals, armed gangs and terrorists to exploit in the West  African sub region.
On the financial implication of the intervention in Mali to Nigeria, Ashiru noted that even though a number of countries and international organisations were involved, Nigeria would be expected to commit its own funds initially into the operation but such financial commitments must be seen in the light of the nation’s security.
Speaking further, he explained that “when you compare our intervention in Sierra Leone, in Liberia to our intervention in Mali today, the intervention in Mali today is to ensure the survival of Nigeria. The intervention in Sierra Leone and Liberia was to enthrone democracy, rule of law and good order.
“Those two places, the campaign there did not have any security impact directly on Nigeria as such. It is just that we wanted peace in the sub region to ensure refugees did not flood to Nigeria. Even with that, they still came to Nigeria because we had lots that still came to Nigeria. So, these are part of the problems you see.
Meanwhile, as the crisis in Mali rages on, the Federal Government has reportedly ordered a water tight security at the nation’s borders and as well close surveillance of all immigrants in the country.
A highly placed presidency source told the Nigerian Tribune in confidence in Abuja on Thursday that the action became necessary in order to prevent the Mali Islamist extremists from sneaking into Nigeria and reinforce the activities of the nation’s Islamist sect,popularly known as Boko Haram.
According to our source, “there is a standing order from the presidency to the nation’s security forces and the immigration to keep eagle watch at the borders for the fear of reprisal by the Mali terrorists because of the leading roles being played by Nigeria in Mali crisis, mind you, some of the militants may want to sneak into Nigeria to  reinforce the activities of the Boko Haram  in the country, that is why we have to be on the look out for them before their will turn our country into a battle ground overnight.”
The source further confirmed that all the concerned security outfits, especially the Army, Navy, Air force, Department of the State Security Services (DSS) and the Immigration were already on the ground in full compliance with the presidential’s directive.
Also, one of the Islamist groups fighting in northern Mali has split and wants dialogue, a statement from the faction seen by the AFP news agency says.
Islamic Movement for Azawad said it was splitting from Ansar Dine, and “rejects all forms of extremism and terrorism.”
According to the statement, the group is headed by Alghabass Ag Intalla, an important Ansar Dine leader and influential figure in Kidal.
It said al-Qaeda linked Islamists - some of whom were foreigners - threatened to turn Mali into a “terrorist state.”
For the last 10 months, three main Islamist groups have controlled northern Mali, where they have imposed strict Islamic law.