The National President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Bitrus Pogu, in an interview with a Nigerian Tribune correspondent, discussed a range of issues, including the killings in the North.
He was asked about the way out of the logjam created by Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.” He responded that the President should make a firm promise and act swiftly to address the insecurity situation.
He stressed that the President needed to show action and communicate to the Americans that Nigeria could handle the problem independently, without external intervention, and that this response should be clearly visible rather than the compromises people had been witnessing.
He further stated that the President had to prove to the international community that he was serious.
While he acknowledged the recent changes in the service chiefs, he noted that people still felt that some officers, such as the Inspector-General of Police, had their tenures extended even though their terms were nearly over, which undermined confidence in the reforms.
Further talking, he said, “Now, people believe that General Musa’s (Christopher) statement to the soldiers, that whenever they’re sent to guard a place or people, and anyone comes to attack, they should fight back without waiting for instructions, angered some interests.
He said that if a colleague is under attack, do not wait for orders; just defend. That did not go down well with the sponsors of Boko Haram.”
He stated that many people believed pressure from northern lobbyists had compelled the president to remove General Musa, while the other service chiefs were dismissed merely as a cover-up. He emphasized, however, that what the country needed was a holistic transformation.
He remarked that if the rumoured coup had occurred under a military administration, those involved would by now have been executed or dismissed, but under the current system, everything was being concealed and managed with stories.
He insisted that the National Security Adviser should be removed, arguing that it was unacceptable for the NSA, the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence; all of whom were Fulani; to remain in office while the perpetrators of what he described as criminal genocide were also Fulani.
He asserted that such a situation could not convince the international community of the government’s sincerity.
He added that many people would continue to speak the truth because the facts were evident. He urged the government to remove Musa and the others and appoint new hands, stressing that if the Americans saw genuine efforts by the Nigerian government; rather than what he described as pretentious actions in which military formations were sabotaged and criminals allowed to strike; they would take the country seriously.
He dismissed what he called “kinetic and non-kinetic” approaches as meaningless, arguing that people were being killed while murderers were treated with leniency, and concluding that those advocating “non-kinetic approaches” were sympathisers of the perpetrators. View, More,
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