Irked by the suicide bombing that occurred yesterday at the United Nations buildings in Abuja, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday condemned the bombings saying that, government and all security agencies must rise to the occasion, as it also declared that Nigeria is not safe.
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In a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Anthony N.Z.Sani, the ACf stated, “Arewa Consultative Forum has received the news of a car bomb in UN office, Abuja, Nigeria, with great shock. Shock in the sense that apart from the lives and properties destroyed or loss, the incidence sends the unsavoury signal across the globe that Nigeria is not safe, even for foreigners to do business. The consequences are therefore dire for our dear country. It is against this backdrop that ACF calls on the governments and intelligence agencies, as well as the security elements to step up the efforts of intelligence community and the activities of security agencies, with a view to nibbling such occurrences in the bud future.
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“These kinds of incidences also demand thorough investigations with a view to bringing perpetrators to justice as deterrence for future occurrences. Such approaches would help improve the security situation of the country and inspire confidence of Nigerians and the international community that the country is safe for business.
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“Failure to do so is capable of putting the nation on the harm’s way.ACF also wishes to use this time to once again inform those who relish in violence to know that only constructive dialogues can bring about resolution of perceived grievances, however strong.That is why we appeal to the bombers to embrace dialogue as the only sure way of securing peaceful coexistence that is needed for socioeconomic and political development of the nation for common good.
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“Nigeria is going through very hard times.Yes.But difficult times bring about national grandeur; they bring out positive boldness in leadership and bring out the best in everyone. This is because no society thrives on the victory of its faction but through their ultimate reconciliations. Nigerians must, therefore, regard national security as a collective responsibility, and not that of governments alone.”
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