An advocacy group, Northern Nigeria Bridge Builders, has condemned calls for the removal of Nigeria’s service chiefs, describing such demands as informed and politically motivated.
The group made its position known at a press briefing held on Thursday at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Hall in Kaduna.
It was responding to a recent statement credited to Mr Dominic Alancha, the Convener of the Northern Ethnic National Forum, who called for the sack of service chiefs over alleged professional incompetence.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Convener, Mr Goodheart Sheyin, said Alancha lacked the grassroots connection and credibility to speak on behalf of Northern communities affected by insecurity.
He described the activist as “a featherweight politician” and dismissed his views as unrepresentative.
The group referred to a statement by the Zamfara Governor, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, who had expressed confidence in ending banditry within two months, if granted operational control of the security agencies.
According to the group, such comments reflect growing confidence in the military’s support for state-level anti crime efforts.
The bridge builders also cited recent directives by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, who instructed military personnel to take decisive actions against criminal elements without waiting for any formal orders.
The group said such measures demonstrated the military’s renewed commitment to internal security.
A prominent Islamic cleric, Mallam Muhammad Sharif-Zaria, was also referenced as having commended the defence chief’s directives in a viral video, describing them as courageous and appealing.
The cleric called on Nigerians to support the security agencies and warned that saboteurs might seek to frustrate ongoing efforts.
The group also extolled the remarks of Sen. Mohammed Ali-Ndume, former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, who described calls for the removal of the service chiefs as unpatriotic and unjustified.
Ali-Ndume said the military leadership had the requisite training and experience and required only adequate resources and motivation.
Similarly, popular Northern musician, Zakky Azzay, was quoted as praising the chief of defence staff, describing him as humble and intelligent.
He also commended the recent publication of the CDS’s book titled ‘Taking a Stand Against Insurgency, Terrorism and Banditry in Nigeria’.
A civil society group, Campaign Against Injustice (CAI), was also cited as opposing Alancha’s position.
The group warned that such calls could demoralise troops and undermine the tremendous gains made in the ongoing security operations.
CAI urged President Bola Tinubu to maintain his current support for the military hierarchy.
According to the bridge builders, recent reports from The Nation Newspaper on September 8 highlighted progress made by the Nigerian Armed Forces in neutralising criminal elements across the six geopolitical zones, including efforts against oil thieves, insurgents, and kidnappers.
The group acknowledged that while security challenges remained in parts of the North, significant improvements had been recorded in several communities previously overrun by terrorists.
It said the current service chiefs had demonstrated capacity and cohesion in the fight against insecurity.
The group commended Tinubu for his “due diligence” in appointing competent service chiefs and called for increased support and motivation for troops on the frontlines.
It also recognised the efforts of Northern Governors and urged the youths to contribute meaningfully to national peace and development.
