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  • Kanu, Igboho should be decisively dealt with – Arewa youths back Buhari

    Kanu, Igboho should be decisively dealt with – Arewa youths back Buhari

    The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has said those agitating for Nigeria’s disintegration should be decisively dealt with.

    Yerima Shettima, National President of the AYCF, made the remark while backing President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to deal with agitators like Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Sunday Igboho.

    Buhari had issued the threat during his speech to mark Nigeria’s 61st Independence Day anniversary.

    The President had vowed to go after violent agitators like Kanu and Igboho, who threaten the cooperate existence of Nigeria.

    However, speaking exclusively with DAILY POST, Shettima said those whose agitations are endangering the lives of Nigerians should be dealt with in line with Buhari’s directive.

    He described Kanu as a blind man who is leading IPOB into a death trap.

    Faulting the violent approach of IPOB, Shettima pointed out that the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, go about their agitation peacefully without endangering the lives of Nigerians.

    According to Shettima: “All of us are victims of the society today in one way or the other, so if, something goes wrong, you don’t have to behave abnormal. When you look at the situation on ground and think the only way out is to become violent at the expense of people’s lives, then such agitation is not worth it.

    “Yes, certain things went wrong and we also, in Northern part of the country have suffered the same problem. In fact, we have even suffered more than where the agitation is coming from.

    “Can the situation today in the Northwest or Northeast be compared to the realities in the Southwest and Southeast? The answer is no. For over two decades now, we have been suffering from one trouble to another. From poverty to marginalization to deprivation and so on. Even at that, we never deemed it necessary to take up arms against the state; so, no matter how you look at it, their approaches are wrong.

    “Don’t we have other groups agitating, like MASSOB? Do you see MASSOB endangering the lives of innocent citizens of the Southeast? The answer is no. Was it not from MASSOB IPOB broke out and is led by that blind man who puts the lives of people in danger? MASSOB goes about their demands which are very genuine by their thinking and feeling.

    “MASSOB has said she really believes that the Southeast is being marginalized and if Nigeria can address some of this injustice meted on them, they are willing to come back and build the nation. However, the IPOB’s approach by this their blind leader who is leading them to death zone is wrong, and two wrongs can not make a right.

    “Looking at this situation, you can’t solve problems with problems. We have faith in the country despite the shortcomings. We believe some days we will turn things around instead of balkanizing the country in the name of agitation. Most of those agitators are young elements who should come together and build a synergy within themselves that would fight against those oppressing them.

    “Anybody found disobeying the law of the land should be dealt with decisively; nobody is above the law. If you balkanize the country, where will you go to? You can’t be an American citizen, you will still remain a Nigerian. If you balkanize here, where will you run to? You are a refugee anywhere you run to.

    “We suffered during the war and we can’t go back there again. If there is a way we can amend what happened in the past to ensure that the war never happened, we would have done that. It has happened and all we need now is to forgive ourselves and move forward. We can’t continue to reflect on that and expect to make progress.

    “Everybody suffered for that, so is that where they want us to return to now that there is arms proliferation? We can’t survive a second war, so Nigerians must learn to stay together. We can agitate without endangering the life of anybody.

    “The statement coming from the president shows he is a leader and people should know that we are not in Banana Republic. I’m not an advocate of the president, neither am I in the government but a victim of the society and I lead a group of people who are already victims.”

  • Arewa group hails success recorded by military against insurgency

    Arewa group hails success recorded by military against insurgency

    A pressure group, Arewa Youth Federation, has said it is fascinated by the sustained success being recorded by the security agencies in the war against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality across the country.

    The group in a statement signed by its President, Muhammad Matazu noted with pride the renewed onslaught against Boko Haram/ ISWAP and banditry in the North West leading to the mass surrender of thousands of Insurgents occasioned by the superior fire power of the Nigerian security agencies.

    “We have observed with profound satisfaction the renewed determination of the security agencies which has culminated to taking war to the enclaves or forests of the insurgents with tremendous result. It has decimated the insurgents and led to their mass surrender”.

    According to the group, the latest achievement is occasioned by the synergy of the various security agencies and departments.

    “We wish to commend the Department of State Security Services, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the Defence Intelligent Agency, Maj-Gen S.A. Adebayo, for the intelligence they have continued to provide for those at the battle front.

    “Above all, we are proud of the patriotism and professionalism of the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. General Lucky Irabor, the Chiefs of Army and Air Force. Clearly, their approach to the execution of the war has given fresh impetus even to the morale of the personnel.

    “We therefore appeal to the Armed forces to sustain the onslaught on all criminals until all forms of threats to the security of the country are decisively eliminated and further admonished the Armed forces to show no mercy.

    “We have followed the various successes and clearance operations thus far. We urge the military to interrogate the bandits with the aim to unveil their sponsors, logistics suppliers, collaborators and every information that will lead to the defeat of these terrorists. There is no doubt in our minds that the defence intelligence is alive to its responsibility of providing intelligence to the field soldiers leading to the several successful attacks on the criminals in their hideouts”.

    Muhammad Matazu stated that the troops have demonstrated capacity, commitment and competence to defend the territorial integrity of the nation. He noted that the recent successes are a bold and intimidating response to naysayers and propagandist whose stock in trade has been to encourage terrorists’ activities by propagating messages that the government and the security forces were not doing enough.

    The group commended the joint military operations, let by the chief of Army staff Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya and particularly the air component led by the chief of Air staff, Air Marshal, Isiaka Oladayo Amao for a job well done.

    “We want to specially commend the chief of Air staff Air Marshal, Isiaka Oladayo Amao for coordinating the air component properly. The air component of operation HADIN KAI has smoked the insurgents out of their hiding places”

    The Arewa group appealed to Nigerians to unite against all forces working against the unity, progress stability and development of the country to enable it reach its potentials in the comity of nations. It stated that the development of any nation does not take place in an environment replete with instability.

    The group prayed God to grant the armed forces total victory as they traverse the forests and hinterlands in a determination to restore peace to the country.

  • Arewa group hails success recorded by military against Insurgency

    Arewa group hails success recorded by military against Insurgency

    A pressure group, Arewa Youth Federation, has said it is fascinated by the sustained success being recorded by the security agencies in the war against terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality across the country.

    The group in a statement signed by its President, Muhammad Matazu noted with pride the renewed onslaught against Boko Haram/ ISWAP and banditry in the North West leading to the mass surrender of thousands of Insurgents occasioned by the superior fire power of the Nigerian security agencies.

    “We have observed with profound satisfaction the renewed determination of the security agencies which has culminated to taking war to the enclaves or forests of the insurgents has yielded tremendous result. It has decimated the insurgents and led to their mass surrender.

    The president of the group tasked the Armed forces to sustain the onslaught on all criminals until all forms of threats to the security of the country are decisively eliminated and further admonished the Armed forces to show no mercy.

    “We have followed the various success and clearance operations. We urge the military to interrogate the bandits with the aim to unveil their sponsors, logistics suppliers, collaborators and every information that will lead to the defeat of these terrorists. There is no doubt in our minds that the defence intelligence is alive to its responsibility of providing intelligence to the field soldiers leading to the several successful attacks on the criminals in their hideouts”.

    Muhammad Matazu stated that the troops have demonstrated capacity, commitment and competence to defend the territorial integrity of the nation. He noted that the recent successes are a bold and intimidating response to naysayers and propagandist whose stock in trade has been to encourage terrorists’ activities by propagating messages that the government and the security forces were not doing enough.

    The group commended the joint military operations, let by the chief of Army staff Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya and particularly the air component led by the chief of Air staff, Air Marshal, Isiaka Oladayo Amao.

    “We want to specially commend the chief of Air staff Air Marshal, Isiaka Oladayo Amao for coordinating the air component properly. The air component of operation HADIN KAI has smoked the insurgents out of their hiding places”

    The Arewa group appealed to Nigerians to unite against all forces working against the unity, progress stability and development of the country to enable it reach its potentials in the comity of nations. It stated that the development of any nation does not take place in an environment replete with instability.

    The group prayed to God to grant the armed forces total victory as they traverse the forests and hinterlands in a determination to restore peace to the country.

  • 2023: Restore peace before talking about presidency – Arewa Youths to Southern Govs

    2023: Restore peace before talking about presidency – Arewa Youths to Southern Govs

    Youths from the 19 Northern states and Abuja, under the auspices of Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) have urged the Southern states Governors’ Forum to first settle the agitation and impasse in their region before talking about the presidency in 2023.

    A communique issued by Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, chairman of the forum at the end of their meeting, lamented that the Southern Governors were not concerned about how Nigeria would come out of the present predicament of insecurity and economic hardship but were only concerned about where the President would come from.

    The communique advised the governors to employ all available means to settle the problems ravaging their region before considering which region would produce the President come 2023.

    The participants noted that insecurity and self determination protests ongoing in the South should be resolved and tackled to give way for meaningful resolution of the challenges confronting the country.

    The communique expressed concern with the destruction of government facilities and killing of Nigerians.

    According to AYF, the resolution of the Governors is not only unconstitutional but detrimental to the cooperate existence of the country.

    The meeting noted that anybody that would come out for the presidency in 2023 either from the South or North must have the requisite leadership qualities to unite and ensure the progress of the country.

    The meeting expressed displeasure on the Southern governors rejection of the proposed 3% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives.

    AYF believed that most of the resolutions of the Southern governors are sentimental, stressing that a President could come from any region so long he would be able to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

  • SOKAPU Youths to Arewa Youths: You’re a religious bigotry

    SOKAPU Youths to Arewa Youths: You’re a religious bigotry

    ..Say’s calling for Bishop Kukah’s arrest baseless, senseless

    By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna

    Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) Youth Wing has described Arewa Youths Consultative Forum as tribalistic, ethnistic and religious bigotry, for calling for the arrest of Bishop Kukah over his Christmas day message.

    SOKAPU Youth Wing, in a statement signed by its National youth leader, Comrade John Isaac, stated that the statement credited to Arewa Youths Consultative Forum and signed by it’s national President Yerima Shetima, calling for the arrest of Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah over his Christmas day message was baseless and senseless.

    The release made available to journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday by the SOKAPU Youth, stressed that, calling for the arrest of Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah over his Christmas day message where the Bishop, out of love for country, stated that the President would had been long over thrown if he were to be a Non Northern Muslim, given the “gross nepotistic leadership style of his administration, was naive and lacks of sense of history on the part of Arewa youth. 

    It stated that “The attention of the Youth Wing of SOKAPU has been drawn to a statement credited to Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, signed by it’s national president Yerima Shetima, calling for the arrest of Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah over his Christmas day message, where the Bishop out of love for country, stated that “considering the gross nepotistic leadership style of the president and his administration, the president would had been long over thrown if he were to be a Non Northern Muslim”.

    SOKAPU Youth also stated, “We’re however surprised and sadden that despite the visible failure of the Buhari administration evident in the high rate of kidnapping and banditry even in the president’s Katsina.

    “That despite the poor state of the Nigerian economy which has seen Nigeria plunged into recession for the Second time in five years with a ridiculous foreign reserve and an embarrassing debt profile.

    “That despite clear signs of maladministration in the Buhari’s administration evident in the fact that the administration has continuously bankrolled bandits and terrorist Boko Haram groups through payment of ransoms and freeing of captured terrorist members under the guise of “repentant members”.

    “That despite the clandestine and lopsided composition of the security architecture of the country, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum could allowed itself to be drown in the murky waters of tribalism, ethnic loyalty and religious bigotry, choosing to look away the realities of the North which has become a pool of blood and a yard of graves”, it stated.

    SOKAPU further stressed that “Yerima’s  North is unarguably a valley of dry bones, a dent of terror and horror and unquestionably the most insecure and dangerous part of the country where no one is safe including the President.

    “It is therefore unfortunate that the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum would call for the arrest of a Bishop who only pointed out the obvious.

    “It thus appears that the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum is naive of historical facts. It is therefore imperative to remind the forum that President Buhari in 1983 thwarted a democratically elected Government of Shehu Shagari citing Nepotism, insecurity, corruption, and poor state of the economy all of which are worst today than they were in 1983.

    “It has become necessary therefore to state in clear terms that the entire youths of Southern kaduna distant and disassociate themselves from the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum’s call for the arrest of Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, a call we all considers as not just baseless but senseless.

    “The Buhari administration is undoubtedly the greatest political and administrave fiasco Nigeria has had since independence.

    “While we the Youths and People of Southern kaduna stands firmly with Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah and condemn any call for his arrest.

    “We are calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to speak out and save the country from sliding into a failed state as the signals are at the moment clearly visible to the blind and audible to the deaf”, it lamented.