- It’s a Battalion of Armed Thugs – CNG Spokesperson
- We’ll Never Submit to Fear of Criminals, Incompetence and Indifference of Elected Leaders – NEF
ARMED men suspected to be hired thugs on Monday attacked and brought to an abrupt end a security conference organised by the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) convened to discuss issues around insecurity in the region.
The conference was underway at Arewa House in Kaduna Monday morning when several men bearing dangerous weapons stormed the venue attacking participants at the conference.
A statement by CNG’s spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, entitled; “How sponsored thugs invaded CNG meeting,” said the thugs came in their hundreds.
The statement, made available to National Record, reads: “We regret to announce that armed thugs numbering hundreds were unleashed on the Arewa House venue of the security summit hosted by the Coalition of Northern Groups on Monday, December 14.
“The Summit aimed to discuss ways to achieve synergy between communities and government security and design a uniform approach to the current security situation in the North.
“Participants at the meeting included retired military officers, retired police officers, religious leaders, traditional rulers, various women, youth and trade associations.
“Just as the meeting was kicking off, sponsored armed thugs stormed the auditorium after subduing the civil guards at the gate.
“They overturned tables, shattered glasses, attacked the guests and officials, wounding several people and smashing vehicles parked in the premises.
“It is disturbing that a battalion of armed thugs can stroll free across the streets of central Kaduna wielding dangerous weapons without the intervention of the security. Security only arrived hours after the thugs had left.
“It is quite obvious now that some powerful forces are benefiting from the current security situation and would do everything for it to continue.
“We are now all the more committed to ensuring the safety and security of the North and its people.”
NEF Condemns Attack
Meanwhile the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has condemned the attack describing it as cowardly and crude attempt to muffle national outrage at the deteriorating insecurity in the North.
NEF, in a statement by Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, said those behind the attack should note that more meetings will continue to be held all over Nigeria to demand from those with responsibility to secure Nigeria do so.
It said Nigerians will never succumb “to fear of criminals and the incompetence and indifference of elected leaders. Those behind this attack should employ more hoodlums, because voices will rise until the Kankara schoolchildren are freed and the siege on our lives is ended.”
The statement reads in full:
“Northern Elders Forum (NEF) condemns in the strongest possible terms, the attack by hired hoodlums on a peaceful and legitimate meeting convened by Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) to discuss appropriate responses to the outrageous abduction of schoolchildren in Katsina. It is important to mention that the meeting was also being attended by older Nigerians who had given their entire lives to the service of the nation.
“This cowardly and crude attempt to muffle national outrage at increasingly deteriorating security of life and property in Nigeria will mark a new low in state of the nation. Nigerians will note another threat that will increase the number of threats they are having to live with, or die under. This is a threat at their rights to legally organize and express opinions over the manner they live.
“Whoever is behind this attack needs to know that more meetings will continue to be held all over Nigeria to demand that those with responsibility to secure us do so. Nigerians will never submit to fear of criminals and the incompetence and indifference of elected leaders. Those behind this attack should employ more hoodlums, because voices will rise until the Kankara schoolchildren are freed and the siege on our lives is ended.
“The Forum calls on the Coalition of Northern Groups to sustain their efforts through all legal means until the North is safe and secure again. It calls on all Nigerians to unite behind the demand for a secure nation, and exercise their rights to assemble and express opinions as the law allows.”
