Boko Haram: Group accuse journalist Ahmed Salkida, others of seeking cheap popularity

– A civil society group has accused Nigerian journalist Ahmed Salkida and two others declared wanted by the army of seeking popularity

– The group, Stand Up Nigeria (SUN) said trio’s response to the release made by the army is a blackmail against the Nigerian military

Following the recent decision of the Nigerian army to declare a journalist, Ahmed Salkida and two others wanted, a civil society group has accused the well known reporter of seeking cheap publicity.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, August 16, the Stand Up Nigeria Salkida, Ahmed Bolori and Aisha Wakil all wanted by the army are out to create public outrage against the military.

The SUN’s executive director of communication Arubi Justina said the trio’s response to the release made by the army is a blackmail against the Nigerian military.

The army over the weekend said investigations show that the trio who have been known to be conversant with the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists are aware of the location of the over 200 school girls who were abducted in Borno pn April 14, 2014.

However after the army had declared the trio wanted, Bolori made a visit to the defence headquarters office in Abuja where he waited but was never attended to by the military.

Also, Salika, who is away in the United Arab Emirates in a short statement said the army is aware that he is out of the country and that he would hasten his trip back to Nigeria if the army can make his ticket available.

READ ALSO: Was Journalist Ahmed Salkida, others blackmailing the Nigerian army?

But at the briefing, Justina said such antics must be condemned by professional bodies which any of the trio – Salkida, Ahmed Bolori and Aisha Wakil – is claiming affiliation to.

Justina said even the trio had genuinely started in their career as journalists, they have overstepped the boundaries of their profession through an affiliation with the terrorists group.

She said the individuals were behind the series of Boko Haram negotiation scams that costed Nigerians billions of naira under the administration of the former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Justina said: “Since they were declared wanted, these Boko Haram collaborators have taken to the media in their usual fashion in attempts to create public outrage against the military in the hope that this could be used to blackmail their way out having to give accounts for their relationship with the world’s most despicable terror group.”

“They have immediately embarked on a media campaign to the effect that they are ready to appear before the army; that they have contributed and made so much sacrifices towards containing Boko Haram or securing the release of the girls; or that they are being persecuted.

“Similarly, their fellow members in the intellectual wing of Boko Haram had desperately tried to paint the trio as victims; paint Salkida as a journalists being vilified for his doggedness and the other two as genuine negotiators.

“Stand Up Nigeria therefore call on Nigerians, human rights activist, journalists and online community to shun any extension of solidarity to the trio of wanted Boko Haram sympathisers. Salkida, Wakili and Bolori have at different times confessed to knowing more than the ordinarily in terms of her association with Boko Haram.” Justina said.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram: Trio wanted over Chibok girls video threatened by army

She further called on the Nigeria army to stay focused on the “military business” and adhere to rules of engagement in carrying out their professional duty towards the elimination of terrorists in Nigeria.

 

“We urge the Army not to relax the wanted notice issued on these people as their claims of readiness to turn themselves in remains mere theatrics until they actualize it.

“Authorities must also take steps to contain the propaganda value that these individuals would try to make out of when they surrender or are eventually arrested. It must be clearly spelt out that these are not activists neither are they heroes that should inspire anyone,” she said.

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