Insecurity: Buhari Has Failed Woefully, Says NEF

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has said it is alarmed at the rising insecurity in the northern region of the country, blaming the President, Muhammadu Buhari for failing to tackle the situation.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the convener of the forum, Ango Abdullahi lamented the situation is getting worse by the day.

Abdullahi said the people of the North are now completely at the mercy of armed gangs who roam towns and villages at will, wreaking havoc, adding that the president, as well as governors, appear to be incapable of bringing the situation under control.

“Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is alarmed at the rising insecurity of communities and their properties in the North. Recent escalation of attacks by bandits, rustlers and insurgents leave the only conclusion that the people of the North are now completely at the mercy of armed gangs who roam towns and villages at will, wreaking havoc,” he said.

“It would appear that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and governors have lost control over the imperatives of protecting people of the North, a constitutional duty that they swore to uphold.

“The situation is getting worse literally by the day as bandits and insurgents appear to sense a huge vacuum in political will and capacity which they exploit with disastrous consequences on communities and individuals.”

NEF convener noted that its region had never experienced this level of insecurity, adding that the President style of issuing threats and promises has had no effect in arresting the situation.

 “As a responsible body, the forum has joined millions of others in prayers and in giving advice and encouragement to all authorities that have a responsibility to protect our communities,” he said.

“It is now time to say, enough is enough. Our people are known for their patience and respect for constituted authorities, but all governments must be aware by now that all Northerners have been pushed to the wall.

“The forum is aware that some citizens are contemplating peaceful protests, which are their constitutional rights, to draw the attention of President Buhari and all levels of authority to the plight of people of the North.

“The forum urges all citizens to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly, and it urges governments to respect the rights of citizens to express their opinions peacefully.”

Abdullahi further reminded President Buhari that “provision of security and pursuit of the economic welfare of citizens are the only two constitutional responsibilities of the state which all leaders must achieve”.

“Our current circumstances in the North demonstrate that President Buhari’s administration has woefully failed to achieve either. This is unacceptable,” he said.

“We demand an immediate and comprehensive improvement of our security in the North. We are tired of excuses and verbal threats which criminals laugh at, and our fellow citizens see as a clear failure of leadership which they see as part of them. Enough is enough.”