Insecurity: Buhari must fire service chiefs, northern activists insist
Human rights activists in northern Nigeria have renewed calls for the sacking of the nation’s service chiefs.
The latest demand followed the brutal killings by Boko Haram terrorists of 43 rice farmers in Zabarmari village in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State. The UN says at least 110 persons were killed with many woman kidnapped.
Activists in northern Nigeria met in Kaduna on Tuesday and demanded the firing of the service chiefs.
“We say enough is enough of these killings of innocent and unarmed civilians in Borno State, brought about by the seeming inability of the nation’s troops stationed in the state to help avoid this kind of massive attacks and killings,” the activists said.
“We categorically call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack the nation’s service chiefs for their inability to save the nation this tragically-embarrassing experience that has dire consequences to our international image.
“It is our conviction that until a major paradigm shift in the security architecture is promptly applied by President Muhammadu Buhari, we will continue with this bad and alarming rounds of the tragic and embarrassing situation.
“There is also the need for not just total overhaul of the security architecture in Borno but also the outdated intelligence-gathering method. The time to end this madness and now, the nation can’t afford to wait any longer.
“We commiserate with the families of the farmers who were killed while trying to legitimately earn a living. Our heartfelt condolences go to the entire people and government of Borno State.”
Signatories to the communique at the end of the meeting are Nastura Ashir Sahriff, Coalition of Northern Group’s Board of Trustees Chairman(Kano), National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Abdul Ahmed Isiaq (Kaduna), Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gugungu, National President of Arewa Youths Forum (Kaduna), Jibril Tafida (Kaduna).
Others include Engr. Bello Bichi (Kano), Murtala Muhammad(Kaduna), Mandir Guruza, Arch. Mathias Joseph(Plateau), Engr. Ibrahim Ndagi (Niger) and Aminu Saleh(Bauchi) as well as Shetima Yerima, leader of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum.
