Worried by the recurring attacks in their states by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, Northern Adamawa and Southern Borno Elders (NASBE) has called on both the Federal, and the two state governments to find a lasting solution.
The Chairman of the steering committee of the group, Senator Paul Wampana, made the call at a meeting of the group weekend in Abuja.
Wampana told journalists in an interview that the meeting was called to discuss how the group could come to the aid of their people, who had been affected by terrorist attacks.
He said: “The thrust of this meeting is to see how we can collaborate with the Federal and states government, to first of all, bring succor to the people affected by the activities of the insurgents.
“It is also look at the long term way of bringing these people back to their domain, resettle them and provide some immediate need.”
The chairman said the group would get the statistics of the people that have been affected by the attacks so as to avoid a repeat of what happened after the 2012 flood disaster.
According to him, “The disaster came, affected people and the federal government voted huge sum of money but it went into the wrong hands.
“Our zone as you may have noticed is situated either directly inside Sambisa forest or share borders with forest currently the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency and the theatre of war.
“Our people are being killed, maimed, displaced and their lands and property destroyed, instances such as the abduction of our Chibok girls yet to be found and released remain fresh in our hearts.”
Northern Adamawa and Southern Borno Elders group, he said: “Is non-partisan, non-political and non-sectarian group. It is also not an advocacy or a pressure group; it is simply the coming together of people concerned with the plight and suffering of their people.”
Northern Adamawa and Southern Born comprise 16 Local Government Areas.
There are seven in Adamawa north: Hong, Madagali, Michika, Mubi North, Mubi South and Maiha, while Borno south has nine; Askira-Uba, Biu, Bayo Chibok, Damboa, Gwoza, Hawul, Kwaya-Kusar and Shani.
Wampana commended the federal and the two states for the steps taken so far to check the attacks, adding that there was still much to be done to restore security.
He appeal to the government to make sure that the various programmes, including the Victims Support Fund Committee, Safe School Initiative and relief materials reached the people that there were meant for.
Members of the National Assembly from the areas and many retired military personnel from the affected areas attended the meeting.
Some of them, who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity called for the deployment of more troops as well as mobile quick response squad to check the incessant attacks.
