Terrorists occupy forests, grazing reserves —Ethnic Nationalities

….Say insecurity worsening nationwide

….Eid-el-Kabir: Military warns of possible terror attacks in N–East
By Golok Nanmwa

JOS — The Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Community Development Associations, CONAECDA, has raised fresh alarm over worsening insecurity across the country, alleging that forests and grazing reserves in many parts of Nigeria have become operational bases for terrorists and other criminal elements.

At a briefing yesterday in Jos, Secretary-General of the organisation, Suleman Sukukum, alongside the President of CONAECDA, Danladi Jeji, said the rising wave of attacks and killings across several states showed that insecurity was rapidly spreading to new frontiers.

According to them, recent attacks in Niger, Kwara and Kogi states have further exposed the fragile security situation in the country, while violent incidents continue in Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi and Kaduna states.

Sukukum and Jeji also expressed concern over reports of a massive influx of herders into remote and inaccessible parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), warning that the development poses serious security threats to residents of Abuja and surrounding communities.

“There are reports indicating that nearly all forests and grazing reserves across the country now host sleeper cells or active terrorist groups,” they said.

The group further stated that the recent killing of a top commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, underscored Nigeria’s growing strategic importance within the global terrorist network.
CONAECDA faulted attempts to politicise or ethnicise insecurity, insisting that terrorist groups continue to exploit religious, ethnic and political differences to recruit members and sustain violent operations across communities.

The organisation maintained that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorist attacks, stressing that insecurity should not be reduced to narrow religious or political narratives.

On the lingering indigene-settler debate, the group insisted that native rights and traditional identities remain historically recognised within Nigeria’s governance structure and should not be eroded under the guise of universal citizenship rights.

It argued that local governments and traditional institutions remain the legally recognised authorities empowered to issue indigene certificates, adding that Plateau State and the Middle Belt should not be treated differently from other parts of the country.

On political participation, CONAECDA noted that the Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to contest elective offices anywhere in the country, provided they enjoy the support of the electorate.

The organisation, however, accused some political actors of suppressing the aspirations of indigenous communities through their control of political structures and urged affected groups to organise democratically to reclaim their rights.

CONAECDA called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Eid-el-Kabir: Military warns of possible terror attacks in N-East

Meanwhile, the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has raised alarm over possible terror attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP at highly populated locations across the North-East during the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

Spokesman for the operation, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, gave the warning in a statement in Maiduguri, yesterday.
“Credible intelligence available to the command indicates the possibility of isolated attempts by remnant Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements to exploit the festive period to carry out attacks against civilian targets using suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), particularly in areas with high population concentration,” he said.

The theatre command, therefore, advised the public to conduct Eid prayers and festivities as close to their homes and familiar localities as possible, while avoiding large open gatherings where practicable.

It also urged residents to exercise heightened vigilance in crowded public spaces such as markets, motor parks, banking halls and prayer grounds.

The command further advised members of the public to report suspicious persons, unattended objects or unusual movements to the nearest military checkpoint, police station or civil-military liaison point immediately.

It also urged residents to cooperate fully with security personnel during patrols and screening operations, and to avoid unnecessary movement, particularly at night or in areas with limited security presence.
The theatre command further cautioned the public against spreading unverified information or rumours capable of causing panic.

It called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, media organisations and community stakeholders to actively engage their communities and encourage the timely reporting of credible security information before and during the celebration period.

“Operation HADIN KAI reassures all residents of the North-East that troops are on standby, fully prepared and firmly in control,” the statement added.

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