• Urges military to use absolute force against insurgents
• ‘Adopt N’Delta approach to address North-East crisis’
THE Northern Socio-Cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has expressed shock over the latest offensive by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State killing over 50 people and many injured.
A statement by the spokesperson of ACF, Alhaji Muhammadu Ibrahim, said: “Maiduguri town had in the past witnessed many of this dastardly act of suicide bombing where innocent souls were unjustifiably killed in markets, motor parks, mosques and churches.
With the renewed effort of the military and the civilian JTF, Maiduguri has experienced relative peace and harmony until this wicked act of barbarism on September 20, 2015.
ACF condemns in strong terms the continued use of suicide bombers by Boko Haram terrorists to kill innocent people in the name of a religious war, as no religion condones such cruel and barbaric act.”
ACF wishes to commend the military and other security agencies for the continued onslaught on the terrorists enclaves and hide-outs thereby dislodging them from their strongholds. ACF urges the military not to be deterred by the cowardly act of the Boko Haram terrorists as their renewed effort and determination will soon end the insurgency.”
ACF appeals to the military to intensify its synergy of sharing intelligence with the community. ACF extends its condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones, the government and people of Borno State over this tragic incident.”
Meanwhile, citing the Niger Delta example, the return of peace in the once volatile region and minimising the incidence of youths’ restiveness have become a useful template to address the plight of the people of the North-East geo-political zone.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mrs. Fatima B.A. Bamidele, who disclosed this at the occasion of celebrating the 2015 Peace Day in Abuja, regretted that the challenges faced by the internally-displaced persons in that conflict region are insurmountable.
According to Bamidele, with the return of peace in coastal areas, there has been increase in oil production and construction of road networks, especially East/West Road that cuts across the six states of the region.
While noting that this gesture has opened up the area by promoting economic activities in addition to massive training of youths in both vocational skills acquisition and tertiary education here in the country and abroad, she stated: “There is no gainsaying that for our nation to continue to prosper, especially under the current administration, the co-operation of all is required to enthrone an enduring legacy of peace.”
