The leadership of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has condemned the attack on the Abuja – Kaduna bound train by terrorists on Monday night, calling for declaration of war against terrorists.
The Forum in a statement issued yesterday and jointly signed by Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw (PANDEF/South South), Chief Sola Ebiseni (Afenifere/South West), Ambassador Okey Emuchay (Ohanaeze Ndigbo/South East), Dr. Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt Forum) and Hon. Ken Robinson(Acting Coordinator, SMBLF), said the incident is another national embarrassment and a monumental indictment of the nation’s security architecture.
According to the leaders, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari must rise to the occasion and declare a “total” war against these insane terrorists.
They also said security and intelligence agencies must evolve and effect proactive strategies and mechanisms to restore security in all parts of the country.
SMBLF emphasized 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 said: “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. They are sending a message to the government and people of Nigeria of their absurdity, intent and determination. It further indicates that the nation’s security and intelligence network has either been overwhelmed or compromised.
SMBLF further considers President Buhari‘s belated statement on the sad incident as gaunt and disappointing.Is the presidency 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 the alarm, nothing was done.”
“Why is the againstPresident “crying” now, as if the problem is new to him? How many Boko Haram terrorists have been arrested and convicted 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 added: “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 deployed the kind of brute force it unleashed against the rather peaceful agitations of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against the Fulani Killer Herders and Bandits, we may not have had the prevailing tragic reality. And the situation would worsen if urgent and decisive actions are not taken to check the increasing audacious activities of these terrorists and criminals.”
