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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi Development Forum (KDF) has charged Federal Government of Nigeria,Niger Republic as well as Benin Republic governments to flush out Lakurawa terrorists and other criminals element tormenting the rural communities in Kebbi State.
KDF in a statement issued by its Chairman,Dr. Saidu Abubakar Illo, Chairman on behalf of the forum Executive Council, noted that the activities of the suspected terrorists were clear crimes against humanity.
According to them, “the Kebbi Development Forum(KDF) wishes to console and empathise with the victims of Lakurawa attack on eight communities of Arewa Local Government of the State, where 35 lives were said to have been lost and a number of cattle rustled.
“The Forum extends its condolences to the Kebbi State Government and the Argungu Emirate Council over this deeply unfortunate incident, which is not only barbaric but also cowardly and deserving of the strongest condemnation.
“The Forum also conveys its heartfelt sympathy to the victims of similar bandit attacks recently reported in Shanga, Ngaski, and Yauri Local Governments .
“We pray to Almighty Allah to forgive the souls of those who lost their lives during these incidents.
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Furthermore, it strongly condemns the threats issued by bandits to communities in Besse, Zaria Kala Kala, in Koko-Besse Local Government and Utono in Ngaski Local Government Areas, where these criminal elements reportedly move freely, preaching and coercing residents into submission.
“The Forum respectfully urges the relevant authorities to take urgent and decisive action as failure to address the situation promptly may heighten tensions within affected communities and create conditions that could prove even more difficult to manage.
“While appreciating the response of the Kebbi State Government and other relevant security agencies to these unfortunate developments and the efforts made towards containing the violence and restoring normalcy in the affected communities, the Forum calls for a more decentralized response mechanism where local authorities/ communities are effectively mobilized and utilized to swiftly handle such challenges, a feat that can better be achieved through a more united and purposeful collaboration among all stakeholders”.
The Forum noted that treating security challenges as the sole responsibility of the Federal or State Government was no longer sufficient, given the scale and complexity of the situation. Local institutions, including traditional and local government authorities, must be strengthened and empowered not only to provide timely relief but also to actively support and coordinate community-based efforts aimed at enhancing safety and resilience.
They said: “The Forum also wishes to call on the Federal Government and the international community, especially the countries sharing the same borders with Nigeria to join hands in flushing out these criminals and terrorists as what they are doing are clear crimes against humanity.
“To do these, all hands must be on deck to jointly confront both the root causes and the manifestations of the security challenge bedeviling Kebbi state and the country at large. The forum remains committed to supporting this objective”, they said.
