Security lapses worry ACF

Military and civilian leaders in the North met in Kaduna yesterday under the aegis Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) over deteriorating security in the country.

Rising from the meeting, they called for collective efforts to address the issue and restore peace in troubled areas.

In a four-paragraph communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, the ACF urged other parts of the country to join the region to address security lapses.

The communiqué reads: “The Arewa Consultative Forum convened a round-table meeting on the security situation in the country and in the North in particular. The meeting, which took place in ACF Conference Hall, in Kaduna, on March 23, gathered a number of retired military and civilian security and intelligence personnel under the chairmanship of Gen. M.I. Wushishi (rtd.).

“In reviewing the general security situation in the country, the round-table, while appreciating the various efforts by the security and intelligence agencies in addressing the myriad of security challenges facing the nation, nevertheless concluded that a lot needs to be done.

“Some of the security challenges, which include the Plateau State ethno-religious violence in Jos; the Boko Haram in Borno and Bauchi states; and the spate of political assassinations, kidnappings, terrorist bombings and hostage takings for ransom, need to be more vigorously addressed with a view to finding lasting solutions.”