Insecurity: Nigerians are losing confidence in govt – ACF

From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

Following the denial of a ceasefire agreement by Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) yesterday said Nigerians have become sceptical and beginning to lose confidence in the way the insurgents’ crisis is being handled by government.

According to the socio-cultural group in a statement signed by its publicity Secretary, Mohammad Ibrahim and made available to newsmen in Kaduna. “It is really disturbing and worrisome that despite the assurances given by government that appropriate security measures are being put in place to contain the insurgency, including the ceasefire agreement, the situation in the northeast region is deteriorating and needs a decisive action to quell it.

The ACF noted that towns like Bama, Gwoza and many others are still under the control of the insurgents, despite the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

“Nigerians are becoming sceptical and no longer have confidence in the assurances being given by government officials regarding the security challenges, since the terrorists have continued to unleash mayhem on the people without adequate counter offensive from the military.” It stated

The group further described the bomb blast that occurred on Friday morning at Gombe Motor Park as wicked, gruesome and condemnable considering the 27 innocent people killed in the blast and also the destruction of property it caused.

“The bomb blast in Gombe, the continued killings and seizure of towns and villages in Borno and especially now Mubi in Adamawa states by insurgents barely two weeks after the announcement that a ceasefire had been brokered between the Boko Haram insurgents and the Federal Government calls to question the sincerity and effectiveness of the ceasefire agreement.

The ACF therefore advised government not to rest on its oars in finding a lasting solution to this menace, even as it called on the government to decisively employ new strategy and tactics on daily basis to deal with the situation

The group also urged the federal government to pursue dialogue and peaceful negotiation with genuine leaders of the insurgents, in order to restore desired peace in north-east region of the country.”Government should also continue to pursue dialogue and peaceful negotiation with the genuine leaders of the Boko Haram in order to restore the desired peace and order in the region, especially now that our politicians are busy with electioneering campaign against 2015 elections.

“ACF urges Nigerians to be more vigilant and security conscious as we embark on the 2015 electioneering campaign.

“The ACF equally extended its condolence to the families of those killed and sympathy to those injured in the unfortunate bomb blast incident in Gombe and calls on the state government to provide prompt free medical treatment to the injured,” the statement read.”