National President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Bitrus Pogu, has accused northern governors of downplaying the terror attacks in the region.
Speaking to Punch, Pogu lamented that the northern leaders have failed to take decisive action against the resurgent attacks.
The MBF president’s accusation comes amidst growing public concern over the surge in killings and kidnappings that have engulfed some northern communities in recent weeks, leaving dozens dead and many more displaced.
In the latest attack, three people were killed and about 35 others kidnapped at the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday, according to police and multiple eyewitness accounts.
The Federal Government, through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, on Wednesday, blamed the renewed terror attacks on recent remarks by the United States.
However, Pogu argued that northern governors, not the United States, should be blamed for the attacks.
The MBF chieftain urged the Federal Government to seek US intervention to address the situation.
He argued that, despite not having direct control over the military or police, governors could influence civil defence forces and other armed organisations to accelerate and improve the speed and effectiveness of responses to attacks.
Pogu said instead of admitting their faults, some government officials have been pretending and denying the genocidal claims out of fear of the United States.
The MBF President cautioned that if the situation escalates to a point where the US intervenes forcefully, the consequences could be devastating.
According to him, “The best thing to do is for them to own up that these things are happening and that there is genocide, attacks deliberately against Christian organisations and settlements in their areas. They should urge the Federal Government to partner with America to resolve these issues.
“The US know where these people are. They have satellites that can even identify you, how you look, where you are going, and your movement. So let the governors not pretend and think that the Americans don’t know.”
He also warned the governors against imposing their views on others under the guise of religion, stating that any attempt to enforce Sharia or other practices on unwilling populations would only bring trouble.
The MBF President also took a swipe at the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, for denying that an ethnic genocide is occurring in the state.
“If Alia, because of serving the interests of some political godfathers and his pocket, can come out and say there is no genocide when hundreds of his people are being killed, and they are Christians, and their churches have been burnt, then I’m sorry for him,” Pogu said.
He added that, since the governor claimed to be a reverend father, he must change his stance and acknowledge the truth.
