Northern-based socio-cultural group, Gamji Heritage has scored the President Bola Tinubu-led administration high in its fight against banditry, terrorism and other forms of insecurity in the country.
President-General of the group, Ahmed Abdullahi made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Abuja.
Gamji Heritage is a pressure group dedicated to preserving the legacies of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
It has its membership cutting across religious lines from the 19 states of the north.
Abdullahi commended the federal government for its diligent pursuit of war against banditry, terrorism and other forms of insecurity across the country.
He, however, said the fight should not be left in the hands of government alone, adding that all hands must be on deck to tackle the menace.
The president-general noted that the north has no other option than to tackle the problems of insecurity, which had posed a serious challenge to the zone, headlong.
“I had said before now that we need to commend the federal government under President Tinubu, for the fight against terrorism, banditry and general insecurity.
“Still, there are a lot to be done. There was an exposé in America where President Donald Trump revealed the interference and sponsorship of terrorism by certain agencies of America, especially USAID.
“This is not something we are taking lightly at Gamji Heritage. We are studying the situation and we are going to take it up both locally and internationally.
“Our major concern in this matter is to ensure that nothing is done to undermine nations, especially the number one pride of the Black race, which is Nigeria.
“Nigeria needs to make progress; it needs to be at peace and it needs to develop and advance, in the interest of Africa and the Black race,’’ he said.
Abdullahi said northerners are more mindful and security conscious, and are now helping security agencies more than before.
Corroborating the concerns expressed by President Trump, Abdullahi said some international NGOs are aiding and abetting banditry and terrorism in the north.
“When the state started registering NGOs in order to closely look into their activities especially in states like Katsina, insurgency went down significantly.
“All hands must be on deck to tackle insecurity, banditry and terrorism in the north. It is not over until it is finally over,’’ he said.
On the allegation that some traditional and community leaders are aiding and abetting banditry and terrorism in some parts of the country, he described the development as abominable and unacceptable.
“Though in every 12 disciples, there is bound to be a Judas, the law should be made to checkmate the excesses of such people.
“If some bad eggs choose to betray the course of history, the law should be there to take its course, regardless of their positions or status,’’ he said.
Abdullahi, who spoke about the activities of Gamji Heritage, explained that the group, formed 40 years ago, had been a rallying point for all northerners, regardless of their religious, political and cultural affiliations.
He added that the conference, held by the group in January in Kaduna, afforded them the opportunity of coming together to commemorate the killing of the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Bello.
Abdullahi, who noted with regret the problem caused by the killings during the 1966 coup and its effects on the development of Nigeria, cautioned against a repeat of such situation. (NAN)
