Elders of North-Central states have condemned “in the most strongest term, the unabated state of insecurity” in their zone and Nigeria in general.
They lamented that there is no state in the hitherto peaceful zone ”that is free of terrorists attacks” and “mindless killings.”
The elders called on President Muhammadu Buhari to restructure the nation’s security structure to stem the terrorism, banditry and other forms of crimes in the country.
They hinged their call for a rejig of the security network on a leaked intelligence report of the likely existence of Boko Haram camps in the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi and Nasarawa states.
Their position which comes barely 24 hours after the Arewa Professional Forum (APF) expressed concerns over the nation’s worsening security, is contained in a statement by the National Chairman Coalition of North-Central Elders, Usman Bida and Secretary, Moses Okudu.
The elders said: “We are saddened that there is no state in the North-Central that is free of terrorists attacks or that has not had its own fair share of the mindless killings of innocent citizens one time or the other”, recalling with regret that the region was” the most peaceful in the entire North.
”The entire management and members of Coalition of North-Central Elders, wish to condemn in the most strongest term the unabated state of insecurity in our region in particular and Nigeria at large.
“Nigerians are tired of rhetoric and promises of security situation getting better. We join other well-meaning Nigerians to call on Mr President to immediately restructure the current security architecture in the country with the sacking of the service chiefs as the first steps.
“We are saddened that there is no state in the North-Central that is free from terrorist attacks or that has not had its own fair share of the mindless killing of innocent citizens one time or the other, a region that was the most peaceful in the entire north.
“When we were about to recover from the arrest of over 400 terrorists with dangerous weapons in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State by the military which was quite commendable, we are taken aback, with the recent intelligence reports released by Nigerian Customs Service of the presence of Boko Haram elements in FCT and some local government areas in Nasarawa and Niger states. This is a complete failure of intelligence.
“As it stand, the well-meaning citizens of North-Central and Nigeria are frightened by this information. In Niger State, people are killed on a daily basis, women are raped and children killed by terrorists . We voted for President Buhari because of his vast experience in security and integrity and we expect the best from him.
“Mr President, we are with you, and will always be, but we feel your continued retention of the service chiefs for the last five years running is totally against the wishes of Nigerian people given that it is causing low morale and bad work zeal in the entire Armed Forces. We appeal that you act now.
“Mr President , four officers cannot be more experienced than thousands of the officers we have in the Armed Forces. It is on this note that we appeal to you to as a matter of urgency and national importance sack them from office.”
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