By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna.
Irked with the activities of Niger Delta Avengers, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has appealed to the group to embrace the Federal Government proposal to dialogue on the way forward rather than the destruction of the Nation’s economic infrastructure in the region.
In a communique signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim at the end of its Annual General Assembly in Kaduna, ACF said it has being following the insecurity menace in the Northern part of the country, and proposed a Security Summit aimed at sensitizing various stakeholders to come and proffer lasting solutions.
The Northern socio-cultural group said it noted the success recorded by the military and security agencies in combating these crimes, especially the degrading of Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast and the crush of cattle rustlers gangs in the Northwest.
“The AGA considered the general state of insecurity across the country brought about by Boko Haram insurgency, the clashes between herdsmen and farmers, kidnapping for ransom, cattle rustling and destruction of pipelines by the Niger Delta Avengers and other terroist groups.
“It considered the government’s policy on the diversification of the economy especially through solid mineral exploitation and agriculture which used to be the mainstay of our economy.
“It approved the proposal to produce a template of Solid Minerals deposits in the North and to launch same and noted the various agricultural program of government, in particular the launching of the rice planting season by President Buhari in Kebbi state.
“The AGA commended the President for this bold step as it would not only provide food security but also employment opportunities to our teaming youth.
“The AGA noted with serious concern the huge number of young children from the North being ferried to the Southern part of the country for child labour and other child abuses by human traffickers.
“It therefore called upon the State governments, security agencies, NGOs and the agency responsible for the fight against human trafficking to collaborate and arrest this menace.
“It noted that the State Governments should do more, to expand educational infrastructure, skills acquisition centers and opportunities to accommodate our children roaming the streets” the communiqué concluded.
