By. Babagana Bukar Wakil
The Association of owners of media organizations in Northern Nigeria, the Northern Media Forum (NMF), operators and influential practitioners dedicated to protecting and promoting interests of Northerners and the region in the context of a united and secure nation called to end the spate of killings, kidnapping and banditry in the Northern region.
The Forum recently concluded a review of escalating levels of insecurity of lives and property in the Northern parts of the nation, and resolved to make this public, in a statement signed by its Chairman Dan Agbese themed Security challenges: Save the North.
The Forum has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari over his re-election. Northern Media Forum further notes that there is no appropriate response from Federal and State governments that will give citizens assurance to rely on, the two basic functions of governments are to protect citizens lives and property.
This region is still being threatened by the Boko Haram insurgency, a phenomenon that has fed from weak political will and corruption to survive and flourish as a resident, long-term threat. Equally, rich and poor threatened by bandits and kidnappers. Citizens are losing hope
The Forum notes that President Buhari’s second’s term was made possible by massive faith and support of Northern voters. His home state is now one of the major epicenters of banditry and kidnapping activity.
It is, to say the least, amazing that northerners occupy these positions at a time when criminals are destroying their region, President, Minister of Defense, Minister of the Interior, National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector-General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Security and many others in strategic positions that can make a difference in the levels of desperation and exposure under which all northerners live today.
The Forum calls on President Muhammadu Buhari and State Governors to take immediate steps to improve the levels of protection of citizens and their livelihood.
The Forum urges the president to continue along this path until the security forces restore a good measure of security to the Land