NEF laments rising abduction of students, vows to restore peace, stability in North

By ABUBAKAR YUNUSA

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has stated that it will steadfastly pursue the release of all those still in captivity and work towards the swift restoration of peace and stability in the North and across Nigeria.
In a statement released by its Director-General, Prof. Doknan Sheni, and given to the press, the forum reaffirms its unwavering sympathy and shared concerns with the parents and families of the victims of this heinous act.
The Forum also called on the federal, state, and local governments to collaborate closely in establishing a more comprehensive, robust, and enduring security system, adding that this system should be built upon local vigilance, empowerment, and efficient service delivery to all citizens.
NEF recommended that, given the prevalence of rogue elements within the existing security apparatus, the government should continuously identify and severely punish those caught collaborating with these cowardly bandits, who engage in nefarious kidnapping activities in our peace-loving nation.
“We at NEF are greatly encouraged by the recent successful rescue of some of the kidnapped Gusau girls by our brave soldiers, following the directive issued by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
However, we lament the pain and sense of loss resulting from the government’s failure to rescue many of the Chibok girls from captivity, which continues to afflict our despairing lives.
The recent alarming news of yet another audacious kidnapping, involving approximately 46 girls from the Federal University of Gusau in Zamfara state, leaves a bitter taste in our mouths.
This violent assault on the female hostel at the Federal University in Gusau is particularly concerning in light of similar violent attacks in Depchi, resulting in tragic loss of lives, severe injuries, and the abduction of numerous law-abiding students, most of whom are girls in their early teens.
Doknan further emphasized that the cumulative detrimental effects of these societal ills on the relative state of stability, strong social cohesion, and the future economic prosperity of the North have been extensively documented elsewhere, sparing us from further elaboration.”