Urgent Call for Emergency Declaration in Northern Nigeria Made to Tinubu - NEF Makes the Plea
In a stark call to action, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the Northern region of Nigeria. The urgent plea comes in response to the persistent insecurity and atrocities that have plagued the region, most recently evidenced by a bloody attack on a mosque in Unguwan Mantau Village, where about 27 worshippers lost their lives on August 19.
The NEF argues that the federal government's failure to act poses a significant threat to national cohesion, democratic sustainability, stability of the polity, and regional peace. The forum further notes the execution of 35 abductees in Zamfara State despite ransom payments, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Professor Abubakar Jiddere, the spokesperson of NEF, made the call during a press conference. He stated that declaring a state of emergency acknowledges the extraordinary scale of the crisis and is a necessary step towards restoring peace and security in the region.
The NEF also advocates for several measures to address the security challenges. These include engaging international partners, such as the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), for technical and humanitarian support. The forum suggests strengthening border control and regional cooperation with neighbouring states under ECOWAS and the African Union protocols to stem cross-border incursions by armed criminal groups.
The NEF also calls for adequately trained, armed, and equipped security forces with clear rules of engagement to protect civilian populations and secure international border regions. The forum asserts that the recurring atrocities in Northern Nigeria constitute serious breaches of human rights obligations and, in their scale and persistence, will amount to crimes against humanity under international law and humanitarian cases.
Moreover, the NEF proposes adequate compensation, rehabilitation, and humanitarian assistance to victims, including displaced persons, in line with international humanitarian standards. The forum also seeks support from The Elders, an international organization of independent global leaders promoting peace, justice, and human rights.
However, specific references to other international organizations called upon for security solutions in Northern Nigeria are not explicitly mentioned in the search results.
The NEF also mentioned two separate attacks in Kaduna State's Kauru and Kudan Local Government Areas, which resulted in eight deaths and eight injuries. These attacks further highlight the need for immediate action to address the escalating violence and restore peace in the region.
The call by the Northern Elders Forum underscores the urgent need for President Tinubu to take decisive action to address the security challenges in Northern Nigeria and protect the lives and property of its citizens.
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