Measures to Combat Banditry Have Failed; Insecurity Must End Now
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) declared on Wednesday in Kaduna that the North is neither shy nor afraid of the current agitations and calls for a review of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and the restructuring of the country’s administrative framework.
A communiqué issued after the forum’s special meeting, chaired by Alhaji Bashir Mohammed, emphasized that Northern Nigeria is open to considering all proposals related to constitutional review and administrative restructuring, both now and in the future.
“It is false and misguided to suggest that the North is shy, afraid, or averse to these proposals,” the communiqué stated. “The North is prepared to use any available means to pursue its legitimate interests if and when the need arises.”
The meeting, held at the ACF headquarters in Kaduna, was attended by prominent figures including former state governors, ministers, service chiefs, members of the National Assembly, retired senior public officers, academics, professionals, and patriotic citizens.
The forum addressed the escalating crisis of insecurity, rising cost of living, destitution, and unemployment affecting Northern Nigeria. The communiqué outlined several resolutions:
1. Unity and Advocacy: Members resolved to remain united and advocate for Northern interests through the ACF, ensuring it remains a strong and effective organization.
2. Inter-Tribal and Inter-Religious Harmony: Northerners were urged to build trust and refrain from derogatory terms and divisions based on tribe or religion.
3. Security of Lives and Property: The forum highlighted the severe insecurity caused by banditry, Boko Haram, and other insurgencies, alongside rising drug trafficking and food production difficulties. It called for urgent and effective measures to address these issues, including exploring unconventional security approaches and community-driven defense models.
4. Cost of Living Crisis: The forum expressed concern over the unprecedented cost of living driven by severe food shortages and rising prices of electricity and fuel, which exacerbate insecurity and violent crimes. It urged the government to mitigate these impacts.
5. **Corruption and Bad Governance: The forum identified corruption and bad governance as key drivers of Nigeria’s socio-economic crises. It called for an intensified fight against corruption and an overhaul of governance practices.
The communiqué reaffirmed the North’s readiness to consider all proposals for constitutional review and restructuring, countering any notion that it is resistant to such changes.
