The Arewa Restoration Alliance, comprised of various professionals from the North, convened a meeting on Thursday in Abuja, addressing the ongoing security dilemmas facing the region.
The group emphasized that the North’s socio-economic development is significantly hindered by these security challenges, making it less attractive for both domestic and foreign investments.
During the meeting, President Muktar Danfulani highlighted the necessity for the people of the North to support military operations aimed at resolving these challenges.
He expressed gratitude towards the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), particularly under the leadership of Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, for their recent successes against non-state actors engaged in terrorism and kidnappings.
The Alliance specifically commended the AFN for apprehending two key leaders of Ansaru, an al-Qaeda affiliate in Nigeria: Mahmud Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a) and Mahmud al-Nigeria.
Abu Bara’a was identified as a key figure coordinating sleeper cells across Nigeria and was implicated in multiple kidnappings and financing for terrorist activities. Meanwhile, al-Nigeria led a faction operating in the Kainji National Park, having received military training from foreign jihadists.
In addition to these arrests, the group praised military operations in Sokoto and Adamawa States, which successfully rescued 23 kidnapped victims, including 17 girls. The troops also repelled an ambush by Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Borno State, resulting in 13 insurgents being killed and the recovery of weapons.
The Arewa Restoration Alliance urged the Armed Forces to continue their efforts in combating individuals who refuse to lay down their arms, reiterating the importance of a sustained military offensive to restore peace and security in the North.
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