A northern organisation, Arewa Mu Farka, has urged the National Assembly to investigate the alleged involvement of influential individuals in the prolonged banditry plaguing the North West.
According to the group, it is unfortunate that 90 days after female students of the Federal University of Gusau, Zamfara State, were abducted, the victims were still held in captivity.
The leader of the group, Haruna Aliyu Ningi, who spoke at a press conference in Bauchi on Thursday, called on the government to enhance security efforts in the region.
He questioned the military’s effectiveness in addressing the security issues in the region.
His words: “How can you say that after 90 days you cannot rescue these girls in a state where we have a minister heading the ministry that deals with security? Up till now, we have not heard news concerning the abducted girls. This is not the first time that students have been abducted.
“Sadly, it has become like a deliberate act because it has occurred not once, not twice but more than three times. The Nigerian military is known for its bravery and proactiveness, as demonstrated in the Maitasine uprising in the 1980s, which it quelled within 24 hours.
“I recall that our soldiers also acted swiftly in the issue in Zaki Biam and during the regime of late Umar Yar’Adua, who was to travel to Brazil when the issue of Boko Haram surfaced but gave marching orders to the military to arrest the leader of the terrorist group within 24 hours, and the order was carried out
“It is sad that the military today is unable to arrest notorious bandit Turji and others that have terrorised residents in the subregion for the past six years, particularly in Zamfara. People’s suspicion is being raised that the bandits are being used to steal the resources of the country under the guise of banditry. This is a mere allegation but it is worth investigating.”
