Yusuf Bello| The Northern Elders Forum on Sunday added its voice to the growing number Nigerians demanding a total overhaul of the nation’s security architecture, given the rising level of insecurity in the country.
The convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Professor Ango Abdullahi, in a statement made available to newsmen, said the Muhammadu Buhari has failed to secure the citizens from incessant attacks by bandits and other terrorist groups.
The forum, which lamented the rising level of poverty, especially in the north, claimed massive social security have worsened under this administration.
The statement read in part, “With this type of mindset, it is difficult to see how President Buhari can accept the challenge to radically improve his handling of our security situation.
“Nonetheless, we believe that Nigerians must continue to raise our voices and organize through all legitimate means to demand that the administration addresses major failings in his perception of our situation and his response to our demands for our rights to security.”
The Forum also condemned the insurgents’ tactics of targeting Christians and publicising their execution but it also appealed to religious leaders not to fall into the trap of insurgents setting them against each other.
The forum recommended the adoption of a more vigorous and inclusive process in state policing and urged state governments to exercise higher levels of restraint and responsibility in the manner they respond to security challenges.
On the ban Okade riders in some parts of Lagos by government, the forum urged northern state governments to mobilize and support affected riders from the north who may wish to relocate back to the territory.
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