From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Northern mouthpiece Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said that the region would not seek separation from Nigeria.
ACF added that it would not be part of agitation for the country’s breakup as is being pushed by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and some Yoruba activists led by Sundry Igboho.
The Forum tasked northerners to unite and fight against activities of kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the region.
In their separate remarks at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Forum, Chairman and Secretary-General, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Murtala Aliyu, respectively, noted that insecurity has become unbearable in the north and it should be tackled headlong.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Chief Ogbeh said: ‘At this time other than before that the North is facing security challenges, we have to come together and solve our problems. Don’t lose faith, we shall overcome the challenges.
‘What we want is peace and an end to banditry and criminality. All we want is an improvement in the economy of our country for the betterment in the lives of our people generally, especially the north.’
Aliyu on his part said: The north will not ask for separation of the country. There are due processes of going about agitation. North will not ask for a separate Republic as it is being done in South East and in the West by IPOB and Sunday Igboho.
‘We are going to work for a united Nigeria and that is what we stand for.
‘They have raised the issues of resource control, division of the country and so on. The rapid response committee of ACF is to respond to issues affecting the Arewa.’