Southern, Middle Belt leaders slam FG over Kaduna train attack

The leadership of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has expressed sadness and condolences over the attack on the Kaduna-bound train by terrorists last Monday night, calling for the declaration of total war on the terrorists. 

The coalition made the call in a statement signed by Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, PANDEF/South South; Chief Sola Ebiseni, Afenifere/South West; Amb. Okey Emuchay, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide/South East; Dr Isuwa Dogo, Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and  Ken Robinson, Acting Coordinator SMBLF, made available to Saturday Tribune. 

SMBLF, which condemned the horrible and detestable assault on innocent Nigerians, described it as “another national embarrassment and a monumental indictment of the nation’s security architecture.”

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According to the group, “what these vicious terrorists have done by the Abuja – Kaduna train attack, the second of its type, is to say that they can take their “madness” anywhere, and at any time. 

“They are sending a message to the government and people of Nigeria of their absurdity, intent and determination. It further indicates that the nation’s security and intelligence network has either been overwhelmed or compromised.”

It recollected that a few days before the Monday incident, there was a reported incident at the Kaduna Airport, which was an indication that the terrorists “were adventuring new fronts, given that people are avoiding the Abuja-Kaduna road, which has become a haven for terrorists and criminals and taking other means of transportation, including the train service.”

The group wondered that “surprisingly, the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the security agencies could not be proactive by way of ensuring that proper security measures were in place to forestall such security breaches.”

SMBLF further considered that “President Buhari‘s belated statement on the sad incident as gaunt and disappointing, asking if the presidency was “just realizing that the country had long been held to ransom by these terrorists?”

“When they started levying communities in the North West, and even government officials, to pay certain amounts in order not to be attacked, what did the government do? 

“When they hoisted their flags in parts of Niger State, and the governor raised alarm, nothing was done. Why is the president ‘crying’ now, as if the problem is new to him? How many Boko Haram terrorists have been arrested and convicted?” it queried. 

“Enough of bare avowals by the government, the primary duty of government is the protection of lives and property of citizens, therefore, urgent and extreme steps must be taken to deal decisively with these terrorist groups. 

“Indigenous populations are being massacred and decimated, especially in non-Fulani Communities, in Kebbi, Benue and Plateau States as well as in Southern Kaduna and Southern Gombe, where an untold number of citizens have either been killed or displaced by terrorists and Islamic extremists, with plausible official complicity.

“The government of President Muhammadu Buhari must rise to the occasion and declare a “total” war against these insane terrorists. 

“The Security and Intelligence Agencies must evolve and effect proactive strategies and mechanisms to restore security in all parts of the country. Maximum measures are needed to exterminate these terrorists from our land.

“It is the government’s initial tolerance and “kid-glove treatment” accorded these elements, who then camouflaged as Bandits and Killer Herders, that bolstered them to this point where they now, daringly, attack even military formations,” the group alleged. 

SMBLF said if the government had launched a military operation like it is being done in the South East, such as “Operation Crocodile” or a “Python Dance” or deployed the kind of brute force it unleashed against the rather peaceful agitations of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against the Fulani Killer Herders and Bandits, “we may not have had the prevailing tragic reality.”

SMBLF, therefore, urged the presidency to “dispose of the predispositions that have characterized this administration and declare a “total” war against these atrocious terrorists undermining the territorial integrity of Nigeria and making life difficult for citizens, reiterating that “President Muhammadu Buhari must reassure Nigerians and the rest of the world that it is capable of guaranteeing the safety and security of lives and property in all parts of the country.” 

SMBLF also urged “all patriotic and well-meaning Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion or political lining, to unite in tasking as well as supporting the government and the security agencies to fight the terrorists and criminals in the country,” adding that the bombers of the ill-fated Kaduna-bound train must be brought to book.