Center calls for state of emergency in Borno

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Borno State. It said the renewed killing in the region was worrisome.

At a conference in Abuja, the Convener Princess Ajibola condemned the rising cases of insurgency in the region.

Ajibola said it was worrisome that Borno was targeted for renewed insurgent attacks, despite the concentration of troops in the communities in the area.

She said: “The urgency of now requires that proactive measures are put in place or enacted by those vested with such responsibilities in the overall interest of the country.

“The leadership of the Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to condemn in its entirety the renewed spate of insurgents attacks in Borno state, with the latest which recently happened in Auno community where some unscrupulous elements elected to set vehicles, building and human beings on fire for no justifiable reason.

“This act is not only an affront to our collective sensibilities as a people; it indeed speaks volumes of some conspiracy theory that does not want the war against Boko Haram terrorists to come to an end so they can continue to hide under that cover to fleece the people of their commonwealth.

“We are particularly alarmed as to why in the whole of Northeast Nigeria; Borno state is the only state that is witnessing renewed insurgent attacks despite the concentration of troops in almost all the communities in the state, including those that are impassible due to the failure of the government to provide the necessary amenities for human habitation.

“We wish to state that the way and manner the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum have been soliciting for headlines in the newspapers is indicative of a plot to discredit the efforts of the Nigerian military and portraying a picture of failure in leadership on the part of the military, whereas, the reverse is the case.”

According to the group, those in high places were not doing enough to complement the efforts of the Federal Government to stamp out insurgency.

“As a means of diverting the attention of the public from their despicable act of depriving the people of the necessities of life that would aid their resettlements back into their communities, they have elected to sponsor violence in some parts of the state to achieve their inglorious objective.

“In the light of these, they have elected sponsor acts of violence at various local government areas, especially in places where they have committed economic and political atrocities in an attempt to cover their tracks.

“The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights wishes to state that if indeed the federal government is desirous of finding lasting peace in the Northeast region, the example must be set from Borno State by declaring a state of emergency.”