The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has promised to hand over its report on how to overcome Boko Haram and other security challenges facing the country soon. The ACF’s report was said to have been put in place by retired security chiefs in the North.
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Describing the Boko Haram challenge as a “national malaise” forum said the insecurity facing the country was worrisome
In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Anthony Sani, said: “The Boko Haram issue is an aspect of the national malaise, particularly regarding the insecurity across the country.The Arewa Consultative Forum has been very concerned, even before the elections and that was why we brought all our retired security chiefs together to consider the situation and advise the forum on what is the best way forward.”
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He added that, on receiving the report, the ACF would forward it to the Federal Government and security agencies for their necessary action.
He said: “It is now left for the forum to forward to the Federal Government and state governors as far as security in this country is concerned. And this expert committee has said that it will submit its report after the elections. The elections have come and gone. We are waiting for the committee and, when it submit the report, we will know what to advise government or those who are in charge of security, those who are supposed to maintain security in the country. The committee is working hard because the members of the committee know that the nation is waiting and you will hear of the report in due course. That is how far ACF has gone.”
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Expressing concern over security challenges across the country, Sani said, “I want to correct this notion: ACF is naturally worried about the insecurity, because without security there cannot be development, when the United States intelligence said there was problem, Nigerians were calling the Americans names, and when John Campbell wrote a book – Nigeria Dancing on the Brink, he was also called names; instead of us to use a series of intelligence to compare notes, we were fighting. We need all intelligence even from all the places, even the Boko Haram too is still a complex issue, whether it is suicide bomber or not it is still being debated. Any method that is effective should be used.”
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He also stated that the challenges facing the North was not beyond redemption, saying: “Yes, take for example; terrorism has been contained in Israel, Spain and we are not the only ones with diversities. You remember Nyerere, he brought over 120 tribes to form one union.
“So, our own challenges are not exceptional as we are not beyond redemption. When we have purposeful leadership we will get rid of all that, we just need someone that will bring about order in the society.
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“At the moment, there is mistrust, because we lost confidence in social contract, a very serious leader will bring out this entire problem out. Everybody is told that Nigerians are religious but they are not godly; which God taught to kill people? Religious differences are not peculiar to Nigeria, our link cannot easily separate us, we are joined by God and not a choice issue that came from God.”
Meanwhile the Operation Restore Order military task force in Borno State yesterday warned residents of Maiduguri against allowing their premises to be used for attacks by suspected Boko Haram militants.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the warning was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the task force, Col. Victor Ebhaleme, in Maiduguri.
He said, “The Task Force has observed with dismay the unacceptable behaviour of some residents in Maiduguri, who willingly allow their surroundings or frontage of their business places to be used for nefarious activities.
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“Such residents are strongly advised to desist from such acts. The Task Force will henceforth take appropriate actions to protect the public from such actions.’’
Ebhaleme added that such individuals, who allowed their premises to be used for criminal activities, would also be treated as criminals.
He said, “It is to be noted that persons who allow the use of their surroundings to be used for criminal acts will also be treated as criminals.
“Owners of makeshift kiosks who allow the structures to be used to attack members of the public or security agents will be considered as collaborators and treated appropriately.’’
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Meanwhile, the dreaded Islamic sect, Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnah Lid Da’awati Wal Jihad otherwise known as Boko Haram, yesterday stated its members did not operate in camps, saying that the Nigerian state and the state security services could only bark but could not bite since the sect’s strength and support was coming from the people.
The group further said that the banning of motorcycles in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and its environs would not hinder or deter them from their plans, adding that the sect was not far away from the security agencies
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A statement on the website of the group reads in part, “Let it be known that: we do not live in camps, we are well known by the local people, we are supported by the local people, the locals love us, the locals supports us, the locals will never betray us because they believe in our cause.”
In an e-mail sent to media houses by Yusuf Mohammed from its website, www.yusufislamicbrothers.blogspot.com, the sect said: “SSS, we are not far away from you, if you can get us, come for us. We will not relent until we achieve our aim. The banning of motorcylces in Maiduguri and environs will not hinder or deter us.
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“Despite obstructions to our several operations in Kaduna by the SSS, we are still determined to be guest of the brotherhood members in Kaduna. “We have proven our resolve by our two recent attacks of police stations in Bauchi State earlier in the week. We may be forced to liberate innocent citizens who are being detained and alleged to be our members, especially the member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly who is under custody under false allegation that he is our member/financier. A man who we do not even shares the same religion, beliefs and culture.
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“More attacks on the way! More attacks on the way!! More attacks on the way!!
Meanwhile, the activities of the sect have ignited panic in security and public utility circles prompting the management of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) to screen its passengers before boarding the busses .
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LEADERSHIP SUNDAY reliably gathered from a top official of the Lagos state Ministry of Transportation that the new Commissioner for Transportation in the state, Mr. Kayode Opiefa, summoned the management of the BRT buses to a meeting at the weekend where it was decided that the teeming passengers be screened by in house security operatives before allowed to ride on the buses.
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LEADERSHIP SUNDAY also learnt that security had been beefed up around the state’s police command in Government Reserved Area and some parts of the metropolis.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Major Tunde Panox (retd), confirmed to one of our correspondents that there had been a directive to beef up security around Government House and public assets and utility in the state.
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