The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to act swiftly warning that the country is going up in flames.
Spokesman for the group, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, gave the warning against the backdrop of tension in recent weeks owing to farmer-herder conflicts, ethnic clashes, banditry and insurgency.
Baba-Ahmed in a Twitter post on Saturday night, said Nigerians living in any part of the country must be protected by the government.
“Attacking innocent southerners living in the north will not be the right response to attacks on northerners in the south. We should demand that Nigerians, wherever they are, must be protected. President and governors: Do something, NOW! They are setting the country on fire under you,” Baba-Ahmed said.
On Saturday, there was an outbreak of violence in Shasha area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital, which reportedly led to the death of one person. Property of residents and wares of traders were also destroyed.
In response, Governor, Seyi Makinde ordered immediate closure of the market and announced a curfew in the affected communities.
Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi and his Ondo counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu also condemned the violence in Ibadan, warning that the crisis could spread to other parts of the country.
NSA engage North West govs
Amid rising tension across the country, a delegation of the Federal Government led by National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, would meet with the seven North West governors in Kaduna today.
Monguno disclosed the meeting in a statement, yesterday, saying he met with service chiefs, heads of law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies to discuss the threat of kidnappings, terrorism and other security perils threatening lives and property of citizens.
Monguno said the decision to strengthen inter-agency coordination and stakeholders’ engagement was reached at the meeting.
“As part of renewed commitment to make Nigeria safe and secure, the meeting resolved to strengthen inter-agency coordination, stakeholders’ engagement and consultation in order to find lasting solution to the multiple security threats.
“Working with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser is coordinating a whole-of -government and whole-of-society approach that cuts across the legislature, judiciary, ministries and departments, states and local governments and the civil society to ensure that every stakeholder plays a role in securing our towns and villages,” Monguno said.
He said the meeting with the seven North West governors would encourage geopolitical synchronisation of efforts among states and also create a pathway to lasting peace and security.
“The National Security Adviser will be leading a delegation of heads of federal law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies to the geopolitical zones to hold town halls meeting with the state governors, traditional and religious leaders, members of the legislature, non-governmental, youth and women organisations.
“The meetings are expected to provide direct assessment of the security situation, generate local feedback and recommendations, encourage geo-political synchronisation of effort among States and to also create a pathway to lasting peace and security. The first of the town hall meetings is scheduled to hold in Kaduna State on Monday, 15 February 2021 with all seven governors of the North Western states.”
