The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly denounced the recent onslaught on five communities in Plateau State as a “devastating act” and a grave escalation of the ongoing wave of violence plaguing the northern region.
Noting the military’s alleged failure to prevent the Christmas Eve attacks despite reportedly receiving 36 distress calls from various locations in Plateau State, NEF raised doubts about the government’s operational strategies.
In a statement released on Tuesday, NEF’s Convener, Prof Ango Abdullahi, expressed deep concern and offered condolences to the affected families, lamenting the persistent insecurity that has resulted in widespread fear and instability.
The Forum voiced suspicions about the adequacy and efficacy of the government’s methods in curbing these audacious and recurrent assaults across the northern region.
The statement read in part, ““NEF strongly condemns this devastating act and expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this heinous crime. It is deeply distressing to witness the continuous deterioration of security in the conflict-affected areas of the North, which has led to countless lives being lost and a pervasive sense of fear and instability amongst the communities.
“Moreover, NEF expresses concern over the inability of the military to prevent the Christmas Eve killings, despite claiming to have promptly responded to 36 distress calls from different locations in Plateau State in the 48 hours leading up to Christmas.”
Moreover, NEF stressed its apprehensions about security lapses, urging a comprehensive investigation into the recent abduction of 25 individuals, including the Wife of the Village Head, in Ruwan Dorawa Village, Zamfara State.
The Forum demanded that the findings of this inquiry be disclosed to the public, ensuring accountability for those responsible for the security breach.
Expressing deep concerns over the increasing security challenges in the region, NEF demanded immediate action to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
The Convener, Abdullahi, called for collective prayers for the nation’s safety and urged religious leaders to lead followers in seeking divine intervention to end insurgency, terrorism, and all forms of criminality.
Furthermore, the Forum reiterated its commitment to collaborating with government authorities, security agencies, and other stakeholders to establish lasting peace and security across the Northern region.
