Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned Boko Haram massacre and arson against travelers in Auno, Borno state, describing it as dastardly but avoidable act, while urging the military to restructure its security architecture against the terrorists.
A statement signed by ACF National Publicity Secretary, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim Biu and made available to Blueprint on Thursday said: “The Arewa Consultative Forum is saddened and pained by the gruesome killing of innocent passengers that were locked out at Auno village on Damaturu-Maiduguri road few kilometers away from Maiduguri by Boko Haram terrorists on Monday.
“Media reports indicated that many lives were lost and vehicles burnt with innocent commuters inside and property worth millions of Naira destroyed. This dastardly act by the Boko Haram terrorists on commuters and villagers was callous, barbaric and condemnable.
“ACF had on several occasions appealed to the security agencies to be proactive, employ professionalism and strategy in the war against terrorism to avoid colossal damages. The Auno massacre by the terrorists could have been avoided if the necessary security measures were observed. This unfortunate incident on the Damaturu-Maiduguri road has placed commuters plying the road in a state of fear and despair.
“ACF urges the military and other security agencies to restructure their security architecture in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast and other parts of the country and stem out the menace of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups that have continued to mitigate our peaceful coexistence and development.
“ACF also appeal to the Federal Government to ensure that it’s commitment to security of lives and property of Nigerians is carried out to the letter in order to assuage the persistent fears of the citizens. The Federal Government should also ensure that adequate equipment and logistics are provided to the troops at the front line to adequately confront the terrorists.
“ACF urges the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the immediate and remote causes of this unfortunate incident and many more that have destroyed many lives and property of innocent people with a view to putting a stop to it.
“ACF equally calls on the communities to cooperate and share intelligence with the security agencies in order to make the fight against Boko Haram terrorists a success. ACF extends its condolences and empathy to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the terrorist attack at Auno, the government and people of Borno state over this sad and unfortunate incident,” Biu added.
