The Northern Coalition For Peace and Development on Tuesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to convene Northern security summit with traditional rulers, religious leaders and critical stakeholders to proffer solution to security challenges facing the region.
Rising from it’s stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna on security challenges facing the North and Nigeria, the group lampooned those calling for the sack of security chiefs, noting that they wants the heads of security replaced with their stooges who they can manipulate. They however called on the President to try the approach applied by Zamfara state government to address insecurity in Nigeria.
A communique read in Kaduna by the National Secretary, Comrade Attahiru Adamu, stated that security is everybody’s responsibility hence the need for all Nigerian citizens and residents to come together and address the insecurity retarding the development of the country, rather than politicise it, noting that nobody is immuned to effects of insecurity.
“Majority of those calling for the sack of service chiefs are not sincere as they failed to offer reasonable alternative before now to Mr. President on how to tackle issues of security. They are only seeking the dismissal of the security chiefs in order to see the appointment of those they can push around to do their bidding at the expense of collective interest.
“Politicizing the issue of national security by some group of do-no-good among our political elites is much dangerous. There is urgent need for all Nigerians to unite and support the efforts of both the Federal and state governments towards fighting insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery among others within the corridor of their homes to bring a lasting peace and cohesion among us.
“A typical example is the initiative done and change of narratives by the personal and official efforts of Zamfara state Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, which has made the state safer than it was during past administration. Within few months in office, he brought all his colleagues together in Sokoto, Katsina to accept road map of entering accord with bandits in exchange for peace to their states.”
“We commend and pass vote of confidence on our service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser, Director General, Department of State Security toward their renewed efforts and assurance of combating menace of insecurity in our region and nation in general.
“Suffice to state that, with commitment, support and goodwill, this issue of banditry, kidnapping and other crimes in our region can be reduced and eradicated completely,” he added.
The Group called on Mr President to arrest and prosecute those allegedly hiding under the umbrella of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to sponsor thuggery, incitement and mischief against the issue of national security, no matter how powerful or close such individuals might be with the Presidency.
“These include those undermining the security of their states by hiring thugs or intimidating others with nefarious activities of rallies, political gathering, use of religious groups through uncultured language to foment trouble in order to achieve political sympathy.
“It is with dismay and concern over reports of certain group of politicians in the North who are becoming so desperate on their motives of creating tension, political intolerance, crisis and use of thuggery in their states to score some cheap political goals with some governors after failing election or loosing grip of power in their states. Such is happening in Sokoto, Zamfara and Bauchi states.
