By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Northern Diaspora Alliance (NDA) has rejected the call by Arewa Economic Forum and Arewa Youth Consultative Forum for suspension of service chiefs over insecurity in the North.
This is contained in a statement by the NDA President, Sunday Bala and Secretary, Aisha Bello, on Sunday in Abuja.
The Arewa groups had called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend ineffective or non-performing service chiefs and other appointees in the security sector, owing to what they described as sharp increase in the activities of gunmen.
They said the suspension of ineffective service chiefs would enable the Federal Government to achieve the desired result in the security sector.
Reacting to the call, the diaspora group said that while it agreed that the North was bleeding, they argued that the call was not the solution to the security challenges facing the region.
They said that the issues in the North goes beyond change of security chiefs but a need for holistic examination of the crisis and the way out.
According to the group, the North is presently facing a major crisis which has drawn the region backwards but it will take sincerity on the part of the leaders to provide solutions to the crisis.
“Calling for the suspension or sack of the service chiefs is not the answer to the crisis in the region.
“Just recently, President Bola Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast said security has improved since his assumption of office.
“For us in NDA, the statement of the President is an acknowledgement of the noble efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“We want to believe the President knows what he is saying, because he gets daily briefing.
“President Bola Tinubu is knowledgeable on the issues facing our country, especially the security challenges facing the Northern region.
“That is why he keeps challenging leaders of the region to come together in this respect,” the group said.
The group said that some of the present service chiefs like the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, had history of meritorious service in their line of duty.
According to them, they believe that while the Armed Forces of Nigeria and security agencies have a big role to play, the Northerners must make up their minds to cooperate with them to end the looming disaster. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Emmanuella Anokam/Isaac Aregbesola