Group laments  prolonged banditry in the North West, urges NASS probe

Aliyu Ningi

From Paul Orude Bauchi

A northern group, Arewa Mu Farka, has called on the National Assembly to investigate allegation of highly placed persons involvement in the prolonged banditry in the North West sub-region to plunder resources of country. 

The group lamented that it was unfortunate that 90 days  after female students of  the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State were abducted, the victims are still in captivity.

The leader of group, Haruna Aliyu Ningi, made the appeal in press conference in Bauchi on Tuesday, calling on the federal government to direct the security agencies to intensify efforts and deploy all their needed intelligence to end the prolonged banditry in the sub region.

Popular Singer Andy Bature, Aliyu Ningi and Miss Mohammed Bala

Ningi said the group had wanted to stage a peaceful protest over insecurity but shelved it after it was advised that miscreants might  hijack it owing to the current hardship in the country.

He condemned the rising spate of abduction of female undergraduates in tertiary institutions and the inability to rescue the abducted students of the University.

“How can you say that after 90 days you cannot rescue these girls, in a state that we have a minister heading the ministry that deals with security?,” he queried. 

“Up till now we have not heard news concerning the abducted girls.

“This is not the first time that students are being abducted.

“Sadly it has become like a deliberate act because it has occurred not one, not twice but more than three times.

“Nigeria military is known for its bravery and proactiveness  as demonstrated in the Maitasine uprising in the 1980s which it quelled within 24 hours.

“I recall that our soldiers also acted swiftly in the issue in Zaki Biam and during the regime of late Umar Yar Adua who was to travel to Brazil when the issue of Boko Haram surfaced, gave marching  order to the military to arrest  the leader of the terrorist  group within 24 and  the order was carried out 

“It is sad that the military today is unable to arrest notorious bandit Turji and others that are terrorising residents in the sub region for the past six years  particularly in Zamfara

“People’s suspicion is being raised that the bandits are being used to steal the resources of the country under the guise of banditry. This is mere allegation but it is worth investigating

“Second we know our military is best in what it does and have the equipment to succeed at their disposal, but how come mistake are being made that lead to loss of our soldiers in 10 years?” 

“We urge that if this lapses is as a result of negligence, then something should be done to expose those involved”

The group also called for thorough investigation of the recent accidental bombing in a village in Kaduna State by the Nigeria Air Force saying such ‘mistakes’ have become one to many.

“Whosoever is behind such ‘mistakes’ should be punished according to the military laws because failure to punish such emboldens officers to carry out  similar ‘mistakes’ because nothing is being done to serve as deterrent”