Insecurity: ACF Charges FG To Sit Up
• Urges Foreign Assistance • Laud Gumi Over Release Of Kidnap Victims
ARewaleaders, under the aegis of the Arewa Consultative Forum ( ACF), while lamenting the pervasive insecurity in the country, especially in the north, have called on the Federal Government to sit up, saying “it is a terrible thing that this is happening in the country today and this trend should not be allowed to continue.”
The ACF charged government to take adequate steps now to curtail the state of insecurity in the country, adding: “It behoves on the government to ensure that these criminal activities in the country are put to an end. Governments, both the federal and states, should sit up, especially here in the north, where this problem is getting out of hand. They keep harassing students whose only fault is that they have gone to school.
“We cannot continue this way. Enough is enough. As ACF, we are really sad that the north is backward and this problem is added to it. We call on government to sit up and immediately seek foreign assistance, particularly the United Nations ( UN), in fighting the present insurgency, banditry and kidnapping that have claimed the lives of scores of Nigerians.”
They also lauded the efforts of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, towards securing the release of the students and others abducted in Niger State.
Besides, the ACF blamed northern governors over the escalating level of insecurity in the region due to disagreement and ego on how best to combat the security challenges in the north.
ACF National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, said: “The release of the students in Niger State by the kidnappers is a good development, provided ransom was not paid. We are of the opinion that anything that can get the students out of captivity is good.
“But we hope no ransom was paid, because this ransom issue will encourage the armed bandits further in their criminal work. Immediately they get ransom, they get more empowered.”
While calling for immediate foreign involvement to end the crisis in the country, the ACF said it was evident that the Nigerian government has been overwhelmed by the current security challenges in Nigeria.
Yawe argued: “You know, for example, when one soul was kidnapped last time, the United States ( US) government came to rescue that victim. Here, people in large numbers are kidnapped and government is helpless. That is what is making us to be sad.