Kukah calls for larger groups’, stakeholders’ involvement in fight against terrorism

Bishop Mathew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has emphasized the need for larger groups’ and stakeholders’ involvement in the ongoing fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

Kukah who made the call on Tuesday, also urged the Nigerian government to consider deradicalisation campaign of Boko Haram members beyond what only the Nigerian military can handle.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese who is also Head, Justice, Peace and Development Council said that broadening the horizon of the deradicalisation campaign would surely enhance achievement.

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“Deradicalisation should be viewed beyond government burden as community intervention on the targeted persons and children could shape the upbringing.

“It is more of psychology that needed more open ups to incorporate more change of ideology efforts” Kukah said.

Bishop Kukah also commended media practitioners on their public awareness efforts, noting that despite challenges, more had been achieved in strengthening the face to face interaction.

Bishop Kukah, who spoke at his annual interactive session with journalists at the Saint Bahkita Catholic Secretariat in Sokoto, said the Nigerian Government is deficient in properly articulating its policies, and called on leaders at all levels of government to respect the freedom of the media.

According to him, government must carry the media along in their policies.

The cleric also blamed the Federal Government for not doing enough to mobilise ts citizens ahead of major decisions, including the decision to close the borders.

He said: “This is a burden. I think the Federal Government is poor in articulating its policies. Government should have done well in carrying people along in their policies and programme. I don’t know much about the economy, but am concerned for the amount of violence and criminality in the country. I support the closure of the borders.

“When such a decision is to be taken citizens should be carried along. In other countries, government carries along its media in taking critical decision

“In a sane clime, government carries the media along in articulating and disseminating it policies. Government should respect the freedom of the media, while the media houses should not relent in discharging its duties.”

He however called on religious leaders in the country to educate their followers on teachings that will promote religious harmony in the country.

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