‘Boko Haram is giving Nigeria bad image’

Nigerians have said attempts by some United States lawmakers to get the Boko Haram sect listed as a terrorist group will further batter Nigeria’s image.

Two US lawmakers, Peter King and Patrick Meehan, had proposed last week that Boko Haram should be labelled a terrorist group due to its growing threat.

If the proposal is accepted, a professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Saleh Dauda, toldSUNDAY PUNCH that Nigeria would be regarded as “a terrorist state and another axis of the devil.”

He added that the international community had perceived that the country could no longer checkmate the sect.

“It means that Nigerians will be subjected to inhuman treatment overseas and every Nigerian will be a suspect. It will discourage foreign investment because our credibility before the international community will be seriously questioned.”

Similarly, President of the Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said the proposal would have a massive effect on the image of the country.

In an interview with our correspondent, she said, “The skyrocketing effect will be felt at international airports and on foreign trade. The spate of insecurity built the worrisome trend, which will massively affect the image of the country.

“President Goodluck Jonathan must gather the political will to ensure that he is genuinely concerned, not just talking because talk is cheap. He needs to frontally tackle the challenge. For Nigeria not to be listed as a terrorist nation there should be something to show that the fight is on.”

However, a foremost lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, argued that the country’s image had already been damaged, adding that the listing would only draw the attention of the world and make other countries assist Nigeria.

He said, “Everyone knows Boko Haram is a terrorist group. Our image is dented already. You see that security has been beefed up at all the foreign embassies; as you are aware, the sect strikes every time there is a Christian festivity.

“Our image is badly tainted, no doubt about it. Internationally, Boko Haram has damaged our reputation.”