Jang’s NGF condemns killings in the North

• …urges Nigerians to give confab needed support
• …as Suswam briefs COAS on security situation in Benue

By Lawrence Olaoye

A faction of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) under the leadership of Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state has condemned the killings in Katsina, Kaduna, Benue and some North-east states.

The governors, who had a closed door meeting in Abuja which lasted till the wee hours of yesterday, also called on Nigerians to give the on-going national conference the needed support and encouragement.

Reading the communiqué of the meeting held yesterday, Ondo state Governor, Olusegun Mimiko said “The forum deliberated on the security situation in the country and strongly condemns the killings in Benue, Katsina, Kaduna and some of the North-east states and sympathizes with the governors and its people.

“The forum also commends Mr. President for convening the National Conference and called on all Nigerians to give it the needed support and encouragement.

“The forum welcomes his excellency, Dr. Willy Obiano, the newly elected governor of Anambra state and also congratulates the Chairman, the Governor of Plateau state, his Excellency, Dr. Jonah Jang on his 70th birthday and we wish him many more years ahead.”

Also addressing journalists, Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio and Benue state governor, Gabriel Suswam decried the security situation in the country.

Akpabio said: “All state agencies must rise to the occasion and the governors on their parts must redouble their efforts in terms of intelligence gathering and also in terms of policing. We must do everything possible to assist the security agencies to succeed in our various states.”

Suswam on the other hand said, “The security situation in my state has deteriorated, it is unfortunate, but I have fully briefed the President, I briefed the security agencies as well. Some serious measures will be taken very soon.

“Even this evening before I came for this meeting, I went to the Chief of Army Staff to brief him. I gave him details of the intelligence that we gathered of people who are carrying out this dastardly act. We received strong promise that some decisive actions will be taken to address the security situation in Benue.”

Speaking on the confab, Suswam said, “My opinion is that I supported it in the first place and I would expect that the delegates to put the interest of the nation first and foremost and try to deliberate on issues that will impact positively on Nigeria people and not engage in unnecessary argument”.

The governors who attended the meeting were those of Taraba (Acting Governor), Ebonyi, Kogi, Enugu, Ondo, Plateau, Bauchi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Anambra, Sokoto (deputy), Katsina (deputy) and Abia (deputy).