North East Elders have lamented the latest attack on the convoy of the Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, describing it as a sign that the Service Chiefs have reached their tipping point and can no longer deliver on their mandate.
This is as the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, condemned the attack, describing it as shocking, even as no fewer than 15 people, including police officers, were reportedly killed and many injured.
The elders maintained that President Muhammadu Buhari should no longer feign ignorance of the spike in insecurity in the country, but should relieve the Service Chiefs of their appointments with immediate effect.
The Northeast Elders’ criticisms followed a second attack on Zulum’s convoy on Friday by terrorists believed to be Boko Haram members.
According to a statement by the Coalition of North East Elders for Peace and Development (CNEEPD) in a statement on Saturday, “The Nigerian Military has come to what could be described as ‘breaking point’ and needs reactivation for better and more positive results in line with President Buhari’s vision of leaving Nigeria better than his administration met it.”
The group, in a petition titled, ‘Military Now At Breaking Point: It’s Time For Change of Guard’, expressed worry over the events of the last few weeks in the North East, which they said, had compelled them to believe that there was no other way of getting out of the security situation in the country than to immediately rejig the security apparatus.
The group, in the statement signed by its Chairman, Engr. Zana Goni and Secretary, Dr. Muhammed Misua, stated: “We believe at this point that the military, which is at the forefront of prosecuting the war against the adversaries in the two regions of the country has come to a breaking point.
“We are worried at the ceaseless and relentless attacks on troops and civilian population resulting in heavy casualties in the North East despite repeated assurances from the Service Chiefs that the region has not only been cleared of insurgents and terrorists, but also made safe for those displaced from their original communities to return.
“As elders in the North East, we are worried over the state of insecurity which is not getting better in spite of the relentless efforts of the president to that effect.
“We had chosen to remain silent in the past even when there were compelling needs to speak out because of our conviction that the insecurity, especially in the North East would get better. But, events in recent weeks coupled with the brutal killings of some troops, including a commander, have forced us to open our lips once again.
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“The attack on the convoy of the governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Babagana Zulum, on Friday which left some soldiers and police officers dead with unspecified number of people injured, is most disturbing especially coming just barely two months after the convoy of the governor suffered similar fate in the state.”
“These developments have further given credence to the belief we have long held that nobody is safe anymore in the country. Besides, this ugly security situation may not guarantee food security in the country before next year.”
Meanwhile, Ortom, in a statement signed by Terver Akase, his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) made available to journalists in Makurdi on Saturday, sympathised with Zulum over the incident.
He, however, expressed optimism that Zulum would not be deterred by the terrorist attacks as he continued to work with security agencies to restore peace to all parts of his state.
Ortom also condoled with the families of those that lost their lives in the attack, even as he prayed to God to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest.
