The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) today decried the protection and privileges enjoyed by high-profile suspected sponsors and financiers of Islamist group Boko Haram.
The group, which represents a cross-section of the northern political elite, also condemned recent killings in Kaduna, Kano and Zamfara states as well as Boko Haram’s attacks in some of the troubled northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
In a communiqué after a meeting in Kaduna, the ACF reviewed the general security situation in Nigeria. While applauding the efforts of the federal government, the security and intelligence agencies in combating the insurgency, the ACF bemoaned the continued attacks and killing of innocent people by unknown gunmen without counter action by the security agencies.
The communiqué alleged that “suspected sponsors and financiers of such atrocities have continued to enjoy Government protection and cover while innocent Nigerians are being killed. This situation is unacceptable as it erodes people’s confidence in [the] Government and its cherished security institutions.”
The ACF stated that the Nigerian government had taken some steps to contain the insurgency in the northeast, but warned that the procedure for arms procurement “must be followed to avoid illegal arms importation into the country especially now that we are faced with many security challenges of insurgency and unnecessary killing of innocent persons.”
ACF called on the National Assembly to carry out a thorough investigation of the arm purchase scandal, especially the involvement of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the CAN President, an Israeli citizen, and government officials. ACF contended that those implicated in the deal should be punished, no matter their positions, in order to serve as a deterrent to others and protect Nigeria’s integrity.