The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has condemned the killing of 43 Borno rice farmers by Boko Haram, while urging Federal Government to bring the killers to book, and refocused security system for improved performance.
Speaking in a statement signed by its Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Abubakar Gambo Umar, Sardauna Foundation said many ordinary Nigerians have been killed, suffered from kidnappers, armed bandits, armed robbery, as the spate of insecurity is stifling commercial activities especially farming and affecting economic activities across the country.
“The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation unreservedly condemns the brutal slaughter of not less than 43 rice farmers in Borno state. The slaughter of innocent victims in their farmland should not be taken lightly, every effort must be taken to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and served their due measure of justice.
“This recent Zabarmani massacre and indeed many of such all over the North, portray weaknesses in the country’s security setup. To say that citizens are wantonly killed, kidnapped, and their properties destroyed or carted away in one location; only for the same evil acts to replicate elsewhere, shows the inspirit nature of these killers.
“We note with alarm that for whatever reason, this continued bloodletting by Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements, it is the ordinary citizens that are paying too high a price as countless lives are being lost. In almost every state in the north, insecurity is stifling commercial activities especially farming and affecting economic stability and growth.
“The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation believes it is high time that full attention be redirected and given to the issue of security of lives and properties of citizens. Our security system must be further strengthened to face current challenges. Government must be proactive, decisive and firm in dealing with security issues.
“All resources including intelligence, funding, logistic, modern weaponry and commensurate motivation should be channelled into the fight against terrorism. With the spectre of insecurity looming large over a largely agrarian part of the country like the north, we need to do everything to defeat the terrorists and restore peace in Nigeria.
“We hereby offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones in the Zabarmani massacre,” he said.
