The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) says that it is pushing for efforts to rescue the embattled former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), General Maharatzu Tsiga (Rtd) from the hands of the bandits.
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba assured the family of the kidnapped victim that efforts were in top gear to free him and other victims in similar captivity.
The Forum said the military in particular, ought to demonstrate more capacity and capability by swiftly coming to the rescue of one of its own.
“The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) wishes to reassure the family of Brigadier-General Maharazu Ismail Tsiga (rtd) that, contrary to newspaper reports, it has been concerned with the fate of the kidnapped former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and member ACF, in line with on-going concerns about all victims of the scourge of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria”.
“ACF does not consider it auspicious to engage the family in any public debate on the matter but ACF also understands and shares in the frustration, anxiety and grief of the family of Gen. Tsiga (rtd.).
“ACF assures all that, ab initio, it shares the concerns of everyone over his fate. For that matter, ACF has severally been reaching out, within its limited influence over such incidents, to Federal and state authorities and highly placed persons with a view to getting him, and all victims, safely rescued and unconditionally so.
“Only a few days ago, ACF was elated at news reports suggested General Tsiga had been released only for the news to turn out false. Nevertheless, we remain hopeful and prayerful for a satisfactory outcome to the absolutely sad, abhorrent, despicable, painful and condemnable incident.
“Without intending to minimise the horror that family and friends of the General have been going through, we observe that his kidnapping was from all indications well-planned and executed.
“For a person who had served the Nigerian military meritoriously, this incident remains a clear pointer to the unacceptable state of insecurity in Nigeria, and Arewa in particular, as being experienced in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and other States.
“Even as it appreciates their current efforts, ACF therefore calls on the security agencies to double down on their duties, bring in fresh, coordinated, multi-pronged and robust strategies and tactics in a total offensive against the terror merchants that continue to inflict harm and misery on hapless Nigerians”.
“The military in particular, ought to demonstrate more capacity and capability by swiftly coming to the rescue of one of its own. May God Almighty return the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the path of security, peace and prosperity”. The statement said.
