Afenifere raises concern over proliferation of insurgents’ camps in Abuja, others

• Kebbi denies reported release of FGC students
• Matawalle tasks new LG administrators on security

The Afenifere, yesterday, raised the red flag that insurgents are establishing camps in Abuja and other places. In a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, the National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, warned that “with the growing reports of how much terrorists are gaining grounds in Nigeria, urgent, decisive, enduring and sincere actions need to be taken to prevent the country from going into smithereens.”

According to the statement, the reports of how gunmen overran the police divisional headquarters in Umulokpa, Uzo-Uwani Local Council of Enugu State on October 9, 2021, in broad daylight and abducted a police officer as well as students of St Albert the Great Institute of Philosophy, a Catholic seminary in Fayit, Kaduna State, on October 11, are the latest of instances epitomising the level government has failed in the most basic of its responsibilities – protection of the citizens.”

The terrorists were forcing the residents of the communities to become Boko Haram members and equipping them to fight against the government, he added.

To reverse the trend, Afenifere urged President Muhammadu Buhari to eschew primordial sentiments, deal with bandits, stop impunity, allow state governors to truly become chief security officers and convene meeting of all nationalities.

HOWEVER, Kebbi State Government has denied reports that the abducted students of Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, have been released.

Addressing journalists, yesterday, in Birnin Kebbi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Maj. Garba Kamba (rtd.), said the publications were false, adding that the students were still in captivity.

Expressing dismay over the publication, he assured the public and the parents that the children would be released and united with their families soon.

ZAMFARA State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has charged the new local 5council sole administrators to secure their areas against terrorists.

The directive came just as he directed each one of the appointees to swear by Qur’an that he would not be involved in banditry.

Matawalle made this known, yesterday, while swearing in the 14 sole administrators in Gusau. He said: “Your performance in your new role will have an equal impact on future decisions to entrust you with other responsibilities. Therefore, rather than celebrating, you should view this as a challenge.

“As chief executives of your respective local councils, let me remind you here that you are assuming office at a time we are taking more drastic steps to address the over a decade-long security challenge. Therefore, you must work with the security agencies in your localities to ensure strict compliance with Executive Order number 001 of 2021, which I signed on the August 26. The security of live and property of our people is the topmost.”