ACF condemns Biu blast, raises concern over armed banditry

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said it has learnt with shock the news of bomb blasts caused by two female suicide bombers at Biu market, Borno State on Saturday which killed 17 people and injured 53 others.

It also raised concern over armed banditry in the North, festering clashes between herders and farmers as well as the kidnapping of citizens.

The ACF in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, said, “These wicked and dastardly acts by the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists using innocent children to perpetrate these barbaric acts is worrisome and condemnable. The recent spate of suicide bomb attacks in Konduga of Borno State and that of Mubi mosque and Madagali in Adamawa State where many innocent lives were lost and property destroyed are really disturbing.”

The ACF said another disturbing security challenge now was the resurgence of armed banditry especially in the North-West where even women and children were recently attacked and killed by the rampaging bandits.

“Also of great concern are the festering clashes between herdsmen and farmers as well as the kidnapping of defenseless citizens. The recent attacks on some villages in Zamfara and Kebbi states by unknown gunmen and cattle rustlers where over 60 persons comprising women and children were killed are callous and wicked.

Similar incidents have also occurred in Adamawa, Plateau, Benue and Taraba states. The return of the terror bandits is a serious security threat.”

The forum appealed to the federal and state governments and traditional leaders to act in their various ways to end the atrocities.