The Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, on Friday asked the Federal Government to declare a war situation in Nigeria in view of the unrelenting insecurity in the country.

The ACF leader, who was answering questions on Arise Television’s The Morning Show, stressed that the North as a region was overwhelmed by banditry and terrorism.

“It is time for the Federal Government to declare a war situation,” he said as the government’s renewed onslaught against bandits and terrorists in the country.

The elder statesman admitted that the pervasive insecurity in the North was “self-inflicted” in view of the uncontrolled population of the North and its millions of out-of-school children.

“We have fifteen million out-of-school children roaming the streets. If we had taken care of that, it would not have gotten out of hand,” he said.

Alhaji Dalhatu stressed that “some of these children have already missed the opportunity to be in school,” adding that what remained was to “see how best we can tame these bandits that have not gone to school” he added that “they have never enjoyed what city people enjoy.”

When asked to react to Sheikh Ahmed Gumi’s controversial statement that bandits were better than terrorists because they only kidnap for ransom, Alhaji Dalhatu said “both kidnapping and killing are bad and condemnable,” stressing that “nobody wants to be killed; nobody wants to be kidnapped.”

On whether the North was protecting the bandits, the ACF leader said it would “offend my sensibility to suggest that the North is protecting bandits.”

“No child in his right senses will know a killer or kidnapper and will still tolerate such a person,” he said.

Terrorists attack immigration checkpoint, kill 3 officers in Kebbi

Meanwhile, three officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) were killed on Thursday night when gunmen suspected to be members of the Lakurawa armed group attacked an NIS checkpoint in Bakin Ruwa community, Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The incident was confirmed by journalists in Birnin-Kebbi who spoke to officials of the NIS.

It was gathered that the gunmen emerged from the bush around 10 p.m. near the Lakurawa-Bakin Ruwa axis.

“They killed three NIS officers, set their patrol vehicle ablaze and destroyed the shelter at the checkpoint,” the source said.

The officer lamented the recurring attacks and raised concerns about the rising threat in border communities.

He also posed a rhetorical question: “What steps do you think communities and authorities can take to improve safety in situations like this?”

Confirming the development, Public Relations Officer of NIS Kebbi State Command, Idris Akinlabi Sheriff, said the Service lost the gallant officers in line of their lawful duties, saying the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, has commiserated with the families of the personnel.

“It is sad and unfortunate that we lost these gallant men of the Service. The CGI, the entire officers and men of the Service commiserate with the families of these personnel who paid the supreme price in the line of their lawful duties,” Akinlabi stated.

The incident happened just a week after gunmen attacked Government Secondary School in Maga community of the state where about 25 schoolgirls were abducted and the vice principal killed. (Saturday Tribune)