Does Nigeria need Technology to tackle Boko Haram? President Goodluck Jonathan seeks Germany’s help with Technology to fight the Islamic Sect

Posted on Friday, April 20th, 2012 at 4:29 AM By Adeola Adeyemo
President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, seems to be taking fresh steps to end the scourge of Boko Haram attacks in the country. The President, who is currently on a three-day state visit to Germany has sought the assistance of Germany and the United Nations in tackling the insecurity in some parts of Nigeria orchestrated by the activities of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.
At a joint press conference held with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, shortly after a bilateral talk between the two leaders in Berlin, Jonathan appealed for Germany’s assistance with technology to improve its security architecture in order to tackle the sect.
“The area we expect our development partners especially countries like Germany to help is in terms of our security architecture, training and providing us with some modern equipment.
You have to fight terrorists with technology because terrorists do not need to come with a rifle and you confront them one-on-one.
They will surprise you; they will not come to engage you except to defend themselves occasionally. So, you must have superior technology to monitor them and know how you can relate with them.
And these are the areas we believe that countries like Germany and others and even the United Nations can assist us.”
He added that his administration is on top of the security situation in Nigeria and assured would-be foreign investors of the safety of their lives and property in the country despite the activities of the sect. He faulted media reports that portend the whole of the country as unsafe, saying their activities are restricted to a few states in the Northern part of the country.
“Nigeria is still safe for investment. Nigeria is one country where investment returns are quite high and where we believe in the rule of law.
As a nation, we have security challenges because most investors talk about security. At present, we have the local terrorist group code named Boko Haram.
From publications on this terrorist group, it paints a very gloomy picture as if the whole country is in tatters. These terrorists operate in some states in the North-East part of the country but go into other states from time to time.
But what I can assure the global community especially our investors from Germany, is that government is working very hard to bring it under control.”
On her part, Merkel promised Germany’s resolve to work with the Nigerian government to bring the security situation under control. She stated that with the newly established bilateral commission between Germany and Nigeria, they should be able to discuss the issue with the aim of coming up with greater details of the areas where Nigeria may need help.
“But I think what is most important is the resolve of the Nigerian government to deal with such a group and to remain on top of the situation and protect the peace loving people of Nigeria who suffer most from such attacks,” she said.
Seems like the President is trying so hard to ensure continued foreign investment in the country, for obvious reasons though.
The President said “You have to fight terrorists with technology because terrorists do not need to come with a rifle and you confront them one-on-one.” I see that he is talking about weapons here.
But with this: “So, you must have superior technology to monitor them and know how you can relate with them.” What sort of technology does Nigeria need to track down Boko Haram?
What do you think about the new turn of events? Is technology what Nigeria needs to tackle Boko Haram attacks in the country? Is the President’s appeal to Germany a step in the right direction?