Insecurity: Northern Christian Elders Insist On Overhaul Of Security Apparatus

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The Christian Elders Forum of Northern States (NOSCEF), has stressed the urgent need to overhaul the security apparatus in the country to reflect the diversity of the nation with a view to win the confidence of the people.

This is as NOSCEF expressed disappointment over the seeming inability of the federal government to remedy the situation by taking far reaching steps to address it. 

Rising from its meeting in Kaduna, NOSCEF expressed concern over the increasing activities of bandits and terrorists occasioned by widespread killings across the country.

NOSCEF also said that it has not seen any attempt by the federal government to remedy the skewed appointments that have failed to reflect the religious and ethnic diversity of the nation. 

It noted that rather, it has continue to witness the replacement of even the few appointees outside the nepotistic enclave by those already dominating, stressing that the appointments have been particularly unfair to the Northern Christians.

In a statement by its chairman, Elder Ejoga Inalegwu at the end of its executive meeting, noted that the most recent of the killings took place in Garkida, Adamawa state, Igabi and Giwa in Kaduna state and Kwande Local Government Area of Benue state, among others. 

Inalegwu further states; “NOSCEF joins other patriotic Nigerians in condemning the unending insecurity which has resulted in so much loss of lives and destructions of property. 

“The failure of security apparatus in place, calls for a complete overhaul of the security architecture, reflecting the diversity of the nation that will win the confidence of the people. 

“Ironically, almost all the security chiefs are from a section of the country which is worst hit by the criminals who are unleashing mayhem on the people.

“The spate of killings and insecurity has continued to worsen thereby destroying economic and social activity of the people.”

Participants at the meeting commended the Governor of Borno state, Prof. Babagana Zulum for identifying and standing with his people against terrorism, his openness to all and commitment to good governance.

NOSCEF therefore appealed to the Northern Governors to emulate their South West counterparts, that recently established a joint security outfit, known as “Amotekun” to address security challenges facing  their region, by setting up a similar outfit in the north to put an end to the menace of terrorism and banditry, which is ravaging the north and destroying her socio economic activities. 

The statement further said; “Since the federal government has failed in carrying out its constitutional responsibility of securing lives and properties of its citizens, the governors must evolve ways of providing security for their people. 

“Furthermore, we expectantly, still await the federal government to facilitate the release of Leah Sharibu, who has been in captivity in the hands of Boko Haram for over two years, without forgetting the fate of the remaining Chibok girls also in their custody.”

Members of the Executive appealed to all Nigerians to continue to pray for God’s intervention for the nation.