The Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), has expressed fears that the current insecurity in the country, could turn Nigeria into another Somalia if the situation is allowed to get out of control.
Speaking in a statement issued by Ejoga Oyinehi Inalegwu and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday shortly after its executive meeting, the forum said the country is already becoming a lawless state, and call on the Buhari administration to implement measures that would rid the country of illegal arms.
The forum however, warned that mopping of arms must not be used as a way to weaken victims of attacks while the attackers are allowed to continue killing at will.
The statement said “the country must not be left to go the way of Somalia, ruled by warlords, with a reign of lawlessness, as we see ourselves already drifting into.”
“NOSCEF also views with great concern the escalating insecurity, spreading like wildfire across the nation and shaking the very foundation of the nation’s existence. The new trend of targeting students is most condemnable.
“We appeal to the President to seek every available aid, both internal and external to reverse the trend before we lose our beloved country, Nigeria.”
The elders also condemned the attacks on the military and security outfits in various parts of the country, saying, ‘these weaken the institutions that still hold us together as a people.
“We sympathize with the families of military, police and other security personnel, who lost their lives sacrificially, in the course of their duty of defending their fatherland.
“We commend the Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom, for exposing the criminal elements and his commitment/involvement in helping the military authorities to unearth all those involved in the killing of the soldiers in the course of their lawful duty.”
On possession of illegal arms, the forum said, “The President must ensure that the mopping up of all arms is wholesome and must not be implemented with any bias that will make those who comply become even more vulnerable to criminal attacks.
“The implementation team must be broad-based to win the confidence of all and not limited to any favoured segment of the nation,” the forum advised.
NOSCEF also urged Nigerians to continue to fast and pray for God’s intervention, stressing that, “for with God, nothing is impossible.”