The Arewa Youth Vanguard (AYV) has dismissed recent statements by some obscure groups calling for the imposition of emergency rule in Zamfara State and demanding the resignation of Badaru Abubakar, the senior Defence Minister.
Coordinator of AYV, Lawal Dantala Mani, in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, said such calls are not only misguided but also reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of the dynamics of security governance in Nigeria.
It said that it is evident that some individuals are weaponising the successes of the Nigerian Defence Forces to further their ambitions, hoping to ascend to higher political positions without regard for the implications of their actions on the government they serve and the national security of the country.
“First and foremost, we challenge the writers of the statements to elucidate the precise authority over Nigeria’s security assets. It is imperative to understand that the command and control of the Army, Police, and other security agencies fall solely under the purview of the federal government.
“This fundamental structure of governance is enshrined in our constitution, and it is therefore, disconcerting for a high-ranking defence official casting doubt on the established framework that governs our national security,” it said.
Moreover, it said it raises critical questions as to why the statements have chosen to single out Zamfara State in their calls for emergency rule while neglecting the pressing security challenges faced by other states such as Borno, Benue, Niger, and Plateau respectively.
“Is the plight of the people in Zamfara more significant than that of their compatriots in these states, who have endured similar or even more severe security threats? Such selective attention to regions in distress undermines the collective struggle of all Nigerians against insecurity and sends a troubling message about the motives behind these calls,” it added.
The statement reads, “It is worth noting that the narrative surrounding security in Nigeria is not as bleak as some would have us believe. The recent improvements in security across many parts of Northern Nigeria, including the Kaduna-Abuja highway, where citizens can now travel without the paralysing fear that once gripped them, is a testament to the efforts of our security forces.
“These achievements should be acknowledged and celebrated rather than undermined by calls for emergency measures that could further destabilize the region.”
