NIGERIA: YARADUA ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO BOKO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001436 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W, DRL, INR/AA E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KISL PREL NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: YARADUA ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO BOKO HARAM VIOLENCE REF: A. ABUJA 1422 ¶B. ABUJA 1419 ¶C. ABUJA 1405 ¶D. ABUJA 1398 Classified By: Political Counselor James P. McAnulty for reasons 1.4 (b ) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) On the margins of a state visit by the president of Benin, President Yar'Adua on August 4 promised on Nigerian TV a full investigation of the Boko Haram attacks (refs) noting that National Security Adviser Major General Sarki Abdullahi Mukhtar would lead the effort as a first step to establish, among other things, &how the leader of Boko Haram was killed, and the circumstances under which he was killed." In apparent reference to the mounting Nigerian and international criticism coupled with cynicism of the GON,s management of the attacks, Yar,Adua affirmed: &I have been emphasizing, since this administration came into power, our uncompromising stance on the rule of law." ¶2. (C) Comment: Since the official announcement last week that Boko Haram leader Muhammad Yusuf and his deputy had died in a gun battle with security forces, considerable evidence ) now including videos on YouTube ) has surfaced that the two militants were killed extra-judicially. Yar,Adua,s rare TV appearance follows these revelations and the allegations from civil society leaders that the GON bears the blame for both the rise and the manner of Boko Haram,s apparent fall. It will take sustained public pressure for the promised GON investigation to take concrete form and deliver meaningful results. On television Yar,Adua looked fatigued and frail, and coughed throughout his remarks. More and more his health issues are taking its toll on his physical appearance. End Comment. ¶3. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos. SANDERS