Northern Elders Want Army Commander Removed Over Comments On Baga Massacre

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) yesterday called for the removal of the Borno State Military Commander over his comments on the Baga killings even as it warned against a situation where foreign phobia against Islam will be imported into the country, saying the consequences  could  be disastrous.

“We are telling and warning the Nigerian authorities to avoid a situation where foreign phobia against Islam will be imported here because the consequences will be disastrous,” the forum said.
The call came as the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO)  expressed shock over the violence which led to the loss of many lives and destruction of properties in Baga, saying it came at the wrong time when stakeholders in the country are trying to find a lasting solution to the security challenges facing the northern part of the country.

Reacting to a statement credited to military authorities that the recent carnage in Baga  was a joint military operation of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad, spokesperson for the NEF , Professor Ango Abdullahi , said there  are suspicions that Nigeria is going into another multi-lateral or bilateral agreement with other countries concerning security situation in the country.

He however queried that at what forum, agency or level of discussions was it agreed that  military troops should come from Niger and Chad and fire guns against Nigerian citizens.

“We are suspicious that this country is going into other multi-lateral or bilateral agreements with other countries concerning security situation in this country and if it is doing so, it is not adequately informing Nigerians about it and this is extremely dangerous,” Abdullahi  stated.