• Condemn killing of Plateau monarch
Northern leaders, under the umbrella of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), have faulted the calls for restructuring of the country. The forum also lamented the escalation of the activities of Niger Delta militants, Boko Haram insurgents, Fulani herdsmen, unknown gunmen and other criminals in different parts of the country.
The Arewa leaders’ meeting presided over by the Vice Chairman, Senator Abubakar Girei, said: “The ACF observed with regret that most of those discussions are taking place without regard to decorum or civility, as the issues are often presented as demands by one group or the other.
“Unfortunately, in most cases, they are followed up by some ultimatum to the authorities to accept or face deadly consequences. Some groups refer to restructuring to mean true federalism, others call it resource control.
“Restructuring a complex, big and diverse country as Nigeria is a serious business that must take account of the views of all its citizens and not just of those that shout the loudest or issue threats, intimidation or blackmail.
“Moreover, our present democratic structure provides ample opportunity for groups and individuals to present their agitations through their representatives in the national and states assemblies.”
The forum also deliberated on other issues of national importance, especially the security challenges bedevilling the country.On the security challenge, the group, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, said: “Despite the efforts of the military and other security agencies in tackling insurgency, militancy, kidnapping and indiscriminate killings of innocent persons by unknown gunmen, the menace of insecurity is becoming a serious threat to peaceful coexistence of Nigerians that have lived peacefully over the years.
“The recent killing of the traditional ruler of Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State, the Saf Ron Kulere, Lazarus Agai and the kidnap of another traditional ruler in Benue State for ransom and many others, raise serious concern.
“ACF, therefore, condemns in strong terms the dastardly act of the unknown gunmen who killed Saf Ron Kulere, Lazarus Agai and call upon the security agencies to not only fish out the perpetrators of these heinous crimes but prosecute them to serve as deterrent to others.
“ACF also extends its condolences to the government and people of Plateau State, the family of the paramount ruler of Bokkos over the killing of the traditional ruler.”
The northern group also observed with serious concern the health hazards illegal mining poses to the various communities in many states, especially Zamfara. “For many years, communities within the solid mineral mining zones have been subjected to lead poisoning and other health problems due to illegal mining.
“ACF, therefore, calls on the governments and appropriate agencies to enact and enforce laws governing solid mineral extraction as well as put in place adequate health measures to ensure the safety of the lives of the people leaving in the mining areas.”
The communiqué stated further: “Nigeria now faces more serious security challenges, social and economic problems like the destruction of our oil pipelines by the Niger Delta Militants, Boko Haram insurgency, youth restiveness, drastic drop in oil revenue, unnecessary killings and kidnapping of innocent persons etc that require all hands to be on deck, rather than diverting the attention and resources of government on an issue that could be tackled by our present democratic structure.”“ACF, therefore, considers such agitations at this material time as diversionary and a misplaced priority.”
