“Fight Bandits And Boko Haram, Not Nnamdi Kanu” Abubakar Umar to Buhari.

A former military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Umar(retd.), on Wednesday berated the

Umar argued that it was disturbing that rather than concentrating on insecurity threatening to cripple the country, the Buhari regime was celebrating the arrest the IPOB leader.

The former governor stated this in a statement titled, ‘Nigeria: A nation challenged.’

Recall that Umar lost his commission in the Nigerian Army as result of his principled stance on the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election acclaimed to be won by the late Chief MKO Abiola.

He said on Wednesday that the Federal Government must go beyond the arrest of the Kanu and pay more attention to more security challenges threatening to cripple Nigeria.

See also “We are Not Aware of Kanu’s Extradition”- Kenya Official

Umar argued that for the average northerners living in the North-West and North-East, who had been affected by the activities of banditry, kidnapping and insurgency, the arrest of Kanu had no consequence, “since it does nothing to ameliorate his harsh and brutal condition.”

He said, “The re-arrest of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, elicited congratulatory messages to the Federal Government which appears overwhelmed by the intractable security challenges and in dire need of any redeeming act.

“This is clearly an exaggeration of the security threat Nnamdi Kanu and indeed IPOB pose to our nation’s security and unity. It is quite strange and disturbing that the Federal Government is paying undue attention to the threats of separatist movements in contrast to the more daunting ones posed by bandits, kidnappers and insurgents in the North West, some parts of North-Central and North-East.”

He said the activities of “those criminals have resulted in the evacuation of over 20 per cent the villages in the North-West and North-East.

Hundreds are being murdered and maimed every week. Many more are kidnapped for ransom.”He said, “Over 1,000 schoolchildren were abducted in the past eight months with over 300 still in the hands of the bandits and kidnappers who are demanding humongous ransom. Rape of women and young girls has become a daily occurrence.

Most economic activities, particularly farming, the mainstay of the people in these areas, are now all but impossible.”Umar counselled the government to deploy non-violent means in addressing the growing restiveness in the South-East of the country.

He, however, noted that “IPOB and its leader may well be responsible for some of the violence, including the murder of security personnel, arson and destruction of public and private properties for which they should be held to account.”

While touching on the unity of the country, the former governor argued that Nigeria was better as one and indivisible entity than disintegration.

The former governor carpeted the Buhari regime for not processing the skills in the management of the nation’s diversity.

“Truth be told, the Buhari administration has so far exhibited poor skills in its management of our diversity. Yet it has the benefit of great examples by past administrations and statesmen which should guide it,” Umar said.

Boko Haram Attacks Adamawa Communities,kills many.

Meanwhile Suspected Boko Haram fighters operating on 11 motorcycles, in the early hours of Wednesday, invaded Dabna village and adjoining communities in Adamawa State and allegedly killed scores.

Dabna is less than three kilometres from Garaha, the hometown of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

See also “Bandits, Boko Haram, Different from IPOB” – El-Rufai

Eighteen corpses had so far been recovered from the dawn attack and more bodies were being expected to be discovered because of the way the attack was carried out.

The Chairman, Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, James Pukuma, who gave the casualty figure, said a joint team of security officials had restored normalcy and was helping with the recovery of the dead.

He explained that the attackers did not come looking for food but to cause terror, adding that the attackers, who came on 11 motorbikes, waylaid and gunned down fleeing members of the community.

See also Boko Haram War; Operation Hadin Kai Gets New Commander.

The council boss added, “The attackers came on motorbikes and waylaid their victims, who they chased and opened fire on. We learnt that they came on 11 motorbikes each conveying two to three persons.”

“So far, 18 corpses have been recovered with the help of security agents, who have restored normalcy.“Most of the attacks are around the Sambisa axis; we want our people to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security agencies.

Because this is the rainy season, without such measures, it means vast communities from these areas will be unable to farm.”

The military, however, said the information at its disposal was that only two corpses had been recovered from the community.

The Army Public Relations Officer, 23 Armoured Brigade, Jalo Cantonment, Major Sani Mohammed, told our correspondent on the telephone that the brief he had indicated that only two corpses were recovered after the attack.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Suleiman Nguroje, said he was not authorised to speak on the attack since it had to do with Boko Haram.

In his reaction, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar condemned the attacks.

The 2019  presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party on his official Facebook page, wrote, “I categorically condemn the killings in some communities of Adamawa earlier today, he said.