By Joseph Edegbo –
The leadership of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum has expressed sadness over the attack on the Abuja – Kaduna bound train by terrorists on Monday night.
In a statement in Abuja, the forum strongly condemns the horrible and detestable assault on innocent Nigerians, describing the development as another national embarrassment and a purported monumental indictment of the nation’s security architecture.
It is of the opinion that with what these vicious terrorists have done by the Abuja – Kaduna train attack, the second of its type, is to say that they can take their “madness” anywhere, and at any time.
The forum says the terrorists are sending a message to the government and people of Nigeria of their absurdity, intent and determination.
This effrontery further indicates that the nation’s security and intelligence network has either been overwhelmed or compromised.
The forum recalls that a few days ago, there was a reported incident at the Kaduna airport, which was an indication that these men were adventuring new fronts, given that people are avoiding the Abuja-Kaduna road, which has become a haven for terrorists and criminals and taking other means of transportation, including the train service.
It observes that surprisingly, the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the security agencies allegedly could not be proactive by way of ensuring that proper security measures were in place to forestall such security breaches.
The forum further considers President Buhari‘s allegedly belated statement on the sad incident as gaunt and disappointing questioning if the presidency is just realizing that the country had long been held to ransom by these terrorists? When they started levying communities in the North West, and even government officials, to pay certain amounts in order not to be attacked, what did the government do? When they hoisted their flags in parts of Niger State, and the governor raised alarm, nothing was done.
The forum says enough of bare avowals by the government, the primary duty of government is the protection of lives and property of citizens, therefore, urgent and extreme steps must be taken to deal decisively with these terrorist groups.
It notes that indigenous populations are allegedly being massacred and decimated, especially in Kebbi, Benue and Plateau States as well as in Southern Kaduna and Southern Gombe, where an untold number of citizens have either been killed or displaced by terrorist, with allegedly plausible official complicity.
The forum is of the view that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari must rise to the occasion and declare a “total” war against these insane terrorists.
The Security and Intelligence agencies must evolve and effect proactive strategies and mechanisms to restore security in all parts of the country pointing out that maximum measures are needed to exterminate these terrorists from the land.
The forum alleged that it is the government’s initial tolerance and “kid-glove treatment” accorded these elements, who then camouflaged as Bandits and Killer Herders, that bolstered them to this point where they now, daringly, attack even military formations.
If the government had launched an “Operation Crocodile” or a “Python Dance” in the North West earlier or allegedly deployed the kind of brute force it unleashed against the rather peaceful agitations of the Indigenous People of Biafra the bandits, we may not have had the prevailing tragic reality.
The forum is of the opinion that the situation would worsen if urgent and decisive actions are not taken to check the increasing audacious activities of these terrorists and criminals.
The forum also avers that more disturbing is the startling revelation allegedly credited to the Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai while addressing journalists yesterday (Wednesday), when the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, visited the State to assess the situation following the terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train, that the locations of the terrorists were known and that there was enough intelligence; that the Department of State Services even monitors the terrorist’s telephone lines. The question then is why are the security agencies reluctant to take decisive actions against these terrorists?
It emphasizes that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari must reassure Nigerians and the rest of the world that it is capable of guaranteeing the safety and security of lives and property in all parts of the country.
The forum equally urges all patriotic and well-meaning Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion or political lining to unite in tasking as well as supporting the government and the security agencies to fight these terrorists and criminals in our country noting that Nigeria cannot afford to continue in this disconcerting trajectory. It is even more worrisome given the upcoming 2023 general elections.
It extends deepest condolences to the families of those who were killed in the horrible incident and empathizes with all victims while calling on security agencies to deploy all necessary interventions to secure the safe and immediate release of all those adducted by the senseless terrorists.
The forum says Nigerians are expecting that the perpetrators of the dastardly acts, particularly this train attack would be apprehended soonest and made to face the full consequences of their heinous acts, through open and unbiased trials.
