The BOKO Haram Group Seeks Northern Ex-military Officers’ Help

On Friday The Christians and Muslims Youth Forum in Abuja expressed concern over the menace of Boko Haram terrorists with a call on all retired military Generals from the North to intervene and save the region from the continuous carnage.

The group however applauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for its partnership with the international community towards tackling the threat.

“We maintain that the Chibok schoolgirls should be released unconditionally”, it said.

The group specifically listed General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) and General T.Y. Danjuma (retd) as those that should “assemble other Northern leaders to brainstorm on how to safeguard the region from terrorists while General Yakubu Gowon (retd) should lead the team.”

The National President of CMYF, Mr. Yusuf Ibrahim, who made the demands during a press briefing on the security situation in the country, said it believed that the Northern elders have the capacity to checkmate the insurgency if they are ready to contribute their quota.

He said, “We call on all retired military Generals from the North to be led by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Buhari, Gen. Babangida and Gen. T.Y. Danjuma to assemble other gallant men to brainstorm on how to safeguard the region and Nigeria from terrorists.

“The reason we are calling on the Northern elders is because if you say you are not party to the situation, why do you provide your land as a field where such football should be played? If all these people contribute their quota, Nigeria will be at rest. By the time we finish from this side, we will go to the other regions.”

Ibrahim suggested that all former security personnel from the zone should also follow suit with their brilliant contributions.

According to him, Jonathan should sack the leadership of all the security agencies in the country ‘if the killings by the insurgents continue.”

He said, “President Jonathan is not the Chief of Defense staff, though he is Commander-in-Chief; but he appoints some persons to supervise some sections. That is why we are calling on him to remove such persons so that issues can be settled within the security department and the government.

“We further advise the President to appoint young, capable and determined officers to handle the security challenges in the country, as we are saying, enough is enough!”