Fight to the finish: Presidency, Sultan, Tofa, Ango Abdullahi, Groups  lock horns over insecurity
Insecurity

Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar 111 and the opponent of MKO Abiola in the June 12 presidential election, Alhaji Basir Tofa, have on Thursday advised the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to end killings in the country.

Recall that the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) in a statement Sunday signed by its the Convener, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, alleged that the insecurity in some northern states of the country was an indication that President Muhammadu Buhari and the governors of those states have lost control over the protection of the people which is a constitutional duty.

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But in its reaction, Presidency, said: “We are not surprised by this latest statement by Prof. Abdullahi, and our past position on what his group represents remains unchanged: a mere irritant and featherweight.

“The former vice chancellor signed the statement under the banner of Northern Elders Forum (NEF). Hearing that title, you would think the body was a conglomeration of true elders. But the truth is that NEF is just Ango Abdullahi, and Ango Abdullahi is NEF. It is a quasi-organization that boasts of no credible membership, and its leader is akin to a General without troops.”

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Miffed with Presidency’s statement, Katsina youths stormed the state government, demanding the end to civilian’s death.

Recall that bandits had killed about 40 people in Katsina. Dozens of women were reportedly raped and animals killed in the attack.

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Collecting all these incidents, Katsina youths demanded for the resignation of their governor, Aminu Masari and President Muhammadu Buhari.

READ ALSO: Insecurity in Nigeria: Bandits kill 50 in Kaduna village, raze houses

Hours later, Nasturah Ashir Sheriff, the leader of the Coalition of Northern Youth, who led the Katsina protest, was reportedly arrested and detained by the Police.

On hearing that, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar 111, yesterday told the Federal Government that Nigerians have a right to express their feelings over the spate of killings in the country, especially in the north.

The JNI also blasted security agencies over what he described as lackadaisical attitude in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country, saying they seemed to be overwhelmed by the problem.

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More also, Bashir Tofa, opponent of MKO Abiola in the June 12 presidential election, has described the arrest and detention of Nastura Sharif as undemocratic.

Sharif, chairman of the board of trustees (BoT) of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), was arrested by the police over the protest by his group.

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In a statement, Tofa said Sharif’s arrest is a “bad example of intolerance in a democracy”, asking President Muhammadu Buhari to order the immediate release of the activist.

He said failure to release him could lead to an avoidable crisis.

“The arrest and detention of Alhaji Nasturah Ashir Sheriff, the leader of the Coalition of Northern Youth, is utterly wrong, undemocratic and a very bad example of intolerance. It is unwise and unjust,” Tofa said.

“Not even during sensible and caring military rules, would citizens demonstrate peacefully about a matter that worries the entire country, and anyone be arrested. Is this a notice that nobody is allowed to say anything or to express a view, even peacefully? Is this the Democracy Nigeria is showing to the world? We hope not.

“I appeal to the President to immediately order the release of this young man with an apology, before a single match ignites the forest and conflagrate the entire North and eventually the country. So many people are angry about so many things. If this collective anger is tickled and pushed by a few who may have started some illegal action somewhere, it will easily spread.

“The 2011 violence, destruction and death that occurred when it was rumoured that Gen. Muhammad Buhari was denied his victory will be a child’s play this time around. Nigerians are very angry! Insecurity everywhere, poverty, joblessness and now Covid-19, disease, despair and desperation have eaten deep into people’s patience and good sense.

“President Buhari should be very careful. He should begin to know and appreciate his true and sincere friends, and get rid of his enemies, who do tremendous harm to his image and his own future well being and safety. He must remember that in three years, someone else will be President.”

ibrandtv.com

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