The Federal Government’s response to the insecurity afflicting the nation was Thursday characterised by the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, as concerning. President Bola Tinubu is leading the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The group demanded that President Tinubu and the National Assembly fulfil their constitutional obligation to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians, emphasising that the present approach is putting too much strain on the military.
Sen. John Azuta-Mbata (Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide), Dr. Bitrus Pogu (Middle Belt Forum), Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Afenifere), and Amb. Godknows Igali (PANDEF) of the SMBLF called for the deployment of police officers below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police to their home states for better policing at an emergency meeting in Abuja.
In the absence of full federalism, the organisation argues, state governments should swiftly establish security networks like the Amotekun South West Security Network, armed to the teeth with all the tools needed to fight terrorism and insurgency.
As the Fulani terrorists and their foreign allies continue to carry out genocidal assaults on indigenous communities throughout Nigeria, especially in the Middle Belt region, and states like Benue State, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Assembly have failed to ensure the basic safety of their citizens and their possessions, according to the statement.
In the meanwhile, SMBLF characterised the actions of the Rivers State military administrator, including appointments to state agencies and local governments, as well as any attempts to hold elections, as being in violation of the law.
While demanding an immediate return to normal democratic rule in the state, the group admonished the National Assembly to honourably and unwaveringly carry out its monitoring duties.