FG, military have questions to answer on Boko Haram—ACF

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said both the federal government and the military have a lot of questions to answer on the war against insurgency in the country.

The forum was reacting to the recent resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and Friday’s ambush of the convoy of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, which claimed the lives of some security agents while on the way to Baga.

• ISWAP terror group ambushes state officials in Borno, injures many
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The ACF in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, said recent attacks by the terrorist group undermined public confidence in the ability of the military to successfully defend the nation in the war against terror.

“We are alarmed that for all the assurances we have received from the military and the federal government on an improved security situation on the Boko Haram front, the deadly attacks and killings have continued.

“In the attacks of yesterday (Friday) eight policemen, three soldiers and four civilian JTF men were reported to have lost their lives. Only last week, a serving senior military officer, Col. Bako, was ambushed and killed around Demboa in the same Borno State,” it said. It noted that earlier in July, Governor Zulum came under the gunfire of terrorists while on an official tour.

“We call on the military to act swiftly to restore this confidence. The ACF is also aware of the sagging morale of our fighting men. The federal government and the military high command must act quickly and resolve all the issues that have led to the current low morale,” it stated.

According to the forum, Zulum, whom the terrorists currently target for elimination, is one governor who raises hope in a demoralised country. It warned that if anything happens to the governor, the consequences for the rest of the country would be grave.

“These attacks have raised questions on the ability of the military to ensure the safety of internally displaced persons to return to their homes,” it added.