End The killings Now – Arewa Lives Matter

Press Release:

1. The Government is responsible for provision of adequate security, peace and welfare for Nigerian Citizens. Command and control of our security agencies are vested in the Federal Government of Nigeria. Prior to 2015, Nigeria had severe challenges with insecurity, so when it was time for elections that year, majority of Nigerians gladly elected the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), a retired Major General and former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari. Duly returned as President to solve our deep rooted insecurity challenges.
2. At the initial stage, after the APC government took over, there was success in the fight against insurgency. Right from the inaugural speech, the President made some strategic moves resulting in the reduction of bombings and killings of citizens. Nigeria was safer for a while. Unfortunately, within a short period, insecurity worsened and escalated.
3. In 2019, Nigerians re-elected the same candidate to make Nigeria safer, better and more peaceful. This was in order to continue the fight against a number of challenges including terrorism, insurgency, cattle rustling, farmer/herder clashes, cybercrime, secession threats, kidnapping and banditry.
4. Fast forward to 2020, and security has increasingly deteriorated. More states are under threat and security challenges have increased overwhelmingly. People are killed, injured or kidnapped, almost on a daily basis. Farms and houses are razed. Nigerians are increasingly displaced in their thousands. Families that were living happy lives have been reduced to pain, anguish and a state of sober melancholy.
5. Most of these problems are far more widespread in Northern Nigeria, particularly the horrors of terrorism, insurgency, cattle rustling, farmers/herders clash, kidnapping, rape and banditry.
6. In fact, 88% of Nigerian deaths resulting specifically from violence motivated by political, economic, or social grievances took place in Northern Nigeria (or the Arewa Zone), from April 2019 to May 2020.
7. During that period, 7,986 lives have been lost to the violence. From that total, 7,036 (88.10%) took place in Northern Nigeria, while 893 (11.18%) occurred in Southern Nigeria and 57 (0.71%) in FCT Abuja. According to data sourced from the ‘Independent Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)’, Nigeria Security Tracker April 2019 to May 2020.
8. Every right thinking Nigerian will agree that none of all these violent deaths are acceptable under any circumstances. Sadly, the above data suggests a Nigerian is eight times more likely to die from violence, if they are based in the North.
9. It is being reported that some of the perpetrators are being paid to ceasefire. As if we have ceded the territory of Nigeria, such that we have to pay or reward these criminals for us to live in peace! Even more worrisome is the fact that most of the states in the frontline of the battle against insurgency are amongst the poorest in Nigeria.
10. While the national security apparatus is controlled by the federal government, every governor is the Chief Security Officer in his or her state. Therefore, they are to ensure synergy between security agencies and avoid polarizing them. The governors are also expected to use the well-established structures of traditional institutions for intelligence gathering.
11. Governors should ensure the provision of funds and incentives to motivate and encourage the parties involved in the fight. The support from state governments is essential to the quest of making the affected states and Nigeria safer as a whole.
12. It has been established that some of these perpetrators are not Nigerians. Our porous borders have given them room to sneak into the country illegally and kill Nigerians on Nigerian soil. They move around freely without fear and strike at any hour of their choice.
13. More worrying is the fact that, huge amounts of money has previously been allocated to cater for military supplies and our troops. Even the security votes to state governments have yielded less positive results in securing lives and properties in their states.
14. With the current decline, deterioration and decimation of security in Nigeria, there is an URGENT need for a more motivated security and military-hierarchy with fresh ideas to act decisively. This was witnessed during the early days of the APC administration.
15. Due to the startling figures, there is need for collective efforts between the Governors of the nineteen Northern states to work together. They should act with urgency and liaise with the center; federal and state lawmakers; local government chairmen; councilors; traditional rulers and other stakeholders to end this menace once and for all.
16. Without the collaboration of the Northern states (or Arewa states), we will not find lasting solutions to the worsening security situation we are facing, neither will we prevent future occurrence. Two good heads are better than one and security issues of human life and death should not be politicized.
17. Nigerians are disappointed with the nonchalant attitude of the Federal and State governments with regards to killings in the North.
18. There are no significant, committed and dedicated efforts to show that Federal Government is serious and completely on top of the situation.
19. Prayer:

-A change in the headship of those manning the security architecture of this country. There is need for fresh ideas from motivated persons to end this menace.
-The state governments should liaise with federal governments in ensuring effective policing of our borders.
-Improved training and recruitment of security agents.
-Judicious utilization of funds meant for security.
-Devise techniques and strategies that will improve intelligence gathering.
-Stop the proliferation of arms.
-The fight needs more than a military approach. The president should call for a meeting of Council of States to advise him on maintaining public order which is in line with their constitutional responsibility.
-State governors should reduce poverty and illiteracy in their states. Engage unemployed youths, train and deploy them in community services.

20. In conclusion, in the next fourteen days, if the killings in Northern Nigeria continues and government fails to heed to our prayers we will act. The State Houses of Assemblies in the nineteen northern states will be occupied by us until peace is restored in our communities. Save and secure the lives of our citizens.

Arewa Lives Matter
Long Live Northern Nigeria
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Hon Bilal Adamu Halilu.
Convener (Arewa Lives Matter).
24th/June/2020.