ALASHOCK'S BLOG

The Chairman National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, yesterday [Nov. 20] revealed that Boko Haram insurgency started in Lagos before moving to the North, saying the killing of founder of Newswatch magazine, Dele Giwa in a parcel bomb was the beginning of the sect.

Speaking in Kaduna, during the public commissioning of the Molluma Yakubu Loma Centre for Medical Law and the Mive Legals Matrimonial Causes Counselling Centre, said many people thought Boko Haram begins in the North East, but the first parcel bomb without government investigation was the origin of explosions in Nigeria.

Odinkalu explained further that, late human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi, who mounted pressure for investigation was jailed and later died after his release from detention, adding that a police officer attached to investigate the case was also killed.

NHRC boss, while decrying the killings in the country said Nigeria has the highest refugees with 4.3 million in Africa and third in the world.

His words: “Many people don’t know this, but I can tell you that Boko Haram began in Lagos in Ikeja. The killing of Dele Giwa in a parcel bomb was the first device in Nigeria. Gani Fawehinmi who was fighting for justice was jailed and later died. The police officer that was investigating Dele Giwa’s killing was killed too.

“Former Governor of Borno State, Amodu Sherrif refused to develop his people and when a governor refuses to give his people education, that is underdevelopment. There are reports which recommended that, prominent politicians should be investigated over Boko Haram origin, but up till now no action has been taken”.