…Kaduna community paid N45m to marauding terrorists to avert attacks
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has lamented rising cases of insecurity witnessed in different parts of the country, especially the North, saying that the federal and state governments lack the political will to tackle the situation.
Addressing select journalists Sunday in Abuja, after its close door meeting on security, the National Coordinator of CNG, Balarabe Rufa’i, said that the intervention of traditional rulers will be more effective in tackling insecurity in states across the federation as state governors have shown more interest in the 2023 general elections than tackling the menace.
He said: “The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has reviewed the resurgence of violent attacks across some northern states in the recent days with deep concern. CNG is deeply disturbed by the despicable and irrepressible decimation and elimination of our people; destruction of their livelihood; raping and exploitation of our women and extorting our poverty –stricken villages and towns by terrorists.
“In the last few days, armed bandits/terrorists across four northern states of Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Niger States have killed scores of helpless and defenseless citizens, in addition multiple kidnappings and other forms of exploitations. Regrettably, these killings, abductions, maiming and exploitations have been going on incessantly; with no respite in sight.
“In Zamfara State for instance, the terrorists are invading even the state capital, in which many people are currently under negotiations with the bandits to secure freedom of their relatives, friends and associates. More tragically, just few days ago the terrorists cum bandits stormed Nasarawan Maifara village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, killing thirty three (33) innocent citizens after levying the community 30 million naira earlier.
“In Yar Katsina and Nasarawa villages of Bungudu Local Government of the same Zamfara, the terrorists ransacked the communities, killing many armed-less citizens, including a Chief Imam named Malam Akilu Dan Mallam, during Friday prayer and many others.
“In Karfi Ward of Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina state, at least seventeen (17) people were killed and several others abducted, including women and children, in addition to occasional levies imposed on the community by the bandits.
“In Sokoto State, Margai and Gaddace Villages of Kebbe Local Government Area were ransacked; scores of people were killed including a father and his biological son; many were abducted, while unspecified number of animals were rustled.
“Distressfully, in Niger State, the terrorists terrorized people of Munya, Paiko, Shiroro and Rafi Local Governments with killings, abductions and tax imposition. They equally burnt down a secondary school in Allawa community in Shiroro LGA.
“In Kaduna State, we have received reports as saying various communities in Birnin Gwari LGA paid a levy of whopping 45 million naira to avert attacks and secure peace from the marauding terrorists. There were reports of kidnappings along Abuja-kaduna express way too.
“CNG has gathered shocking and frightening information that suggests that some of our villages are firmly under the control of the bandits, where levies or taxes are imposed on our people, subjecting our poor people into further economic deprivation and devastation.
“The stories are condemnably demoralizing as over 500 innocent, defenseless and impoverished northerners were killed systematically in the last four weeks.”
He added: “In view of the above happenings, the CNG observed that Governments at all levels, particularly federal government, have surrendered their rights and privileges to the bandits/ terrorists as the bandits operate parallel governments in villages and communities in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Niger States, where they impose taxes and levies on the villages and kill people at will.
“Governments and its functionaries lack the political will and determination to decisively deal with the problems once and for all. The security forces are grossly understaffed, ill-equipped and poorly motivated to confront the monstrous terrorists in aggressive manner to eliminate them from their hideouts. It is also alleged that top security personnel are siphoning the little resources earmarked for the purpose of prosecuting the war.
“Therefore, the CNG calls on traditional rulers to stand with their people at this difficult and scaring situation to confront the challenge for our collective survival.
Communities must work together under the traditional institutions, religious leaders and community leaders to source for alternative method of preserving and protecting their lives, properties and communities as our security architecture proves incapacitated and or reluctant to decisively and resolutely deal with the problem.
“Unfortunately, the political leaders who are supposed to protect our lives and properties are busy with their politicking without showing iota of sympathy and empathy to the plight of our people. Sadly enough, a former governor who ruled one of the most terrorized states for eight years in the northwest was recently videoed interacting with his party leadership irresponsibly declaring that “all infrastructural projects in the state will stop so that they can utilize the state’s resources to fund the forthcoming 2023 political activities.
“CNG, therefore, advocates concerted and strategic efforts to create an independent-community based security outfit that can be funded through community efforts, donations from wealthy individuals, friends and associates of the North among others to take the war against this eminent existential threats to the hideouts of the hardened criminals.
“We reiterate our call to the traditional and religious leaders, because of their proximity to the people and the trust they enjoy from our people, that they must lead from the front by setting example; they should create and manage a special trust-fund to support the community-based outfit.
“Hence, our people must rise up in an organized manner and defend themselves from the systematic and genocidal annihilation; plundering of their resources and extortions by their terrorist-enemies.
“Finally, CNG condemns as totally unacceptable the suspension of idon mikiya program of Vision FM and its subsidiary, Farin Wata TV by the Federal Government through National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). This is an affront to freedom of speech and expression as contained in the Nigeria’s Constitution.
“We call on the Federal Government as, a matter of urgency, to rescind this unpopular and dictatorial decision that has no place in democratic governance. It is important we remind the government that it rode on the fundamental right of freedom of expression to capture power. It is therefore expected that the government will reciprocate by championing freedom of speech and expression for all Nigerians without fear or favor.”