The Coalition of Northern Groups has raised concerns over claims contained in confessional statements attributed to a former Senior Special Assistant in Zamfara State, calling for a thorough and independent investigation.
The group said the issues highlighted in the reported confession touch on Nigeria’s broader security challenges and should not be treated as mere political exchanges.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the National Coordinator of the CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, said the claims, as circulated in the public domain, warrant careful scrutiny by relevant authorities in the interest of national security.
Charanchi noted that the reported statements have generated public anxiety, particularly in the North, where communities have borne the brunt of banditry, displacement and loss of livelihoods.
He stressed that while the allegations remain unproven, they are too serious to be ignored or dismissed without an impartial inquiry.
“The issues being discussed raise questions that only a transparent and credible investigation can resolve,” he said.
The CNG cautioned against drawing conclusions or assigning guilt in the absence of judicial findings, adding that due process must be allowed to take its course.
The group also expressed concern over what it described as growing tensions between public officials and critics, urging restraint and openness rather than actions that could be perceived as attempts to silence dissenting voices.
According to Charanchi, Nigeria’s fight against insecurity depends largely on public trust, which can only be sustained through accountability and transparency.
He called on the National Assembly, security agencies and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to jointly set up an independent and non-partisan investigation into the matter.
Such an inquiry, he said, should examine relevant financial records, administrative decisions and communication trails where necessary, while ensuring the protection of witnesses and whistle-blowers.
The coalition maintained that Northern Nigeria has suffered immense human and economic losses due to persistent insecurity, making it imperative for authorities to confront any issues that may undermine security efforts.
“The country must show that no one is above scrutiny,” Charanchi said. “Only the truth, established through lawful means, can strengthen public confidence and support the fight against criminality.”
The CNG reaffirmed its support for journalists, civil society groups and citizens who advocate accountability, insisting that Nigeria’s stability depends on justice, transparency and adherence to the rule of law.
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