The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) during the weekend has cautioned the Federal Government over its plan to remove troops from the volatile North-East region of the country.
The Federal Government had last week after the National Security Council (NEC) meeting chaired by President Buhari resolved that commencing from the first quarter of the year 2020, the Federal Government will gradually commence the withdrawal of troops from the volatile areas of the North-East.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, the Chief of Naval Staff disclosed this shortly after the meeting while briefing Journalist at the state House, Abuja. He said the withdrawal of the troops would be implemented after careful assessment of some areas where it is believed peace has returned, saying this will give the civil authority the chance to take over their activities.
President Buhari also assured that the withdrawal of the military will be done in such a manner that it will not throw the librated community back into chaos after they have been liberated.
On the contrary, the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state revealed while having an interactive session with the Daily Trust during the weekend advised the government that great caution should be observed before implementing the said decision especially where stakeholders were beginning to build confidence in the people.
Mr. Lalong made such statement through his Director of press and Public Affair, Dr Makut Simon Macham, who stated that “I think we should do that (military withdrawal) in a gradual process and with great caution for volatile areas, especially now that we are beginning to build confidence and encourage the return of Internally Displaced Person’s (IDPs) to their original homes.”
He revealed Plateau state has witnessed almost two decades of ethno-religious crisis and is currently under the control of “Operation Safe Haven” a Special Task Force set up by the defence Headquarters in 2010 comprising of all security agencies in Nigeria.