By Benjamin Adeyemi, Kaduna
Coalition of Nigerian Civil Society Groups (NSCG), have alleged that the declaration of ‘no-fly-zone’ in Zamfara State, was a political intimidation of the sitting Governor of the State, who is from the opposition political party.
Acccording to the coalition, the declaration after just one record of mass abduction, as against the disturbing security challenges in Katsina, Niger and Borno, was a move to declare a state of emergency in the opposition governing Zamfara state.
The Coalition stated this in a statement jointly signed by spokesman of Nigeria NCAG, Salahudeen Lukman, President of Unified Nigerian Youth Forum, Abdulsalam Kazeem, President United Igbo Council worldwide, Comrade Eric Joseph, President of Odua Youth and Students Initiative, Ahmed Ayotade, President of Northern Youth Council of Nigeria and Spokesman of Concerned Arewa Youth Vanguard, Comrade Yusuf Lawal on Tuesday.
They however passed a vote of no confidence on the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen Babagana Mungono (Rtd), for asking President Muhammadu Buhari to make such decision.
They said the NSA has reportedly failed to live up to expectations despite having spent over five years in the same office and as a retired Major General in Nigerian Army.
They said instead of declaring Zamfara a no fly zone, the NSA should rather focus on advising the government to acquire drones and other latest sophisticated weapons that can protect the country from internal and external attacks.
The Coalition alleged that, “The National Security Adviser has completely lost touch with reality, because up till date Zamfara state has no functional Local or International Airport, but an Airport under construction and the work progress is below 60% completion.
“Historically, under this present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, series of MASS ABDUCTIONS/KIDNAPPING of Secondary School children had occurred, notable are in Borno (DAPCHI GIRLS), Katsina (KANKARA BOYS), Niger (KAGARA BOYS) and most recently Zamfara (JANGEBE GIRLS).
“It will interest you to note; that the most redicuous, embarrassing and daring school children abduction occurred in early December 2020 (Over 300 Kankara Boys) during the President’s private visit to his home state (Katsina). It was the most embarrassing one to the entire security architecture and our dear nation in the recent time, because Kankara where the students were abducted in large number is less than 300km to Daura where the President and the first family were residing at that moment.
“So, it simply implies that our President and his immidiate families are also vulnerable to abduction as the security under this regime become worse ever in the history, no wonder the first lady left the country citing insecurities as her sole reason. And yet in all the mass abductions mentioned above, there was no individual be it in the government circle at state or federal held responsible for failure to secure the innocent citizens, no single person was pronounce suspended or sacked in the Nigeria Police Force or Nigerian Army, who are directly mounting security and territorial integrity of our dear nation.
“Also, NO FLY ZONE was never even declared and non of the service chiefs was queried talk more of sacked. It will therefore spur this fundamental question: WHY ZAMFARA STATE Now? If no sinister plan and political move to swindle the people’s will and choice of leader.
“The NSA is either playing politics and deliberate intimidation act on the humble personality of Zamfara State Governor, who is obviously not from the ruling party APC at the center, NSA and president Muhammadu Buhari should rather appreciate the effort of the governor who step in to negotiate the release of the kankara school children, an effort made purely to save the president and county from Shame and international embarrassment without considering political difference.
“We therefore condemn this act aimed at enmansculating the noble intentions of the Governor to govern Zamfara state effectively. In a saner society or nation where patriotism, commitment and service delivery to the nation take the lead, the current National Security Adviser (NSA) and our immidiate past Services Chiefs would have resigned voluntarily without chasing any shadow long ago.”
