The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged the Nigerian military to maintain constant surveillance along Damaturu-Maiduguri highway to allay the fears of commuters.
A statement issued in Kaduna by ACF National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim said it was important to secure the road and others in Yobe and Borno to ensure restoration of economic activities and effective relief efforts.
“Recent media reports of daily attacks by terrorists on commuters and villagers on the road linking the two states capitals is disturbing and worrisome, as many were reported to have been kidnapped and even killed,” the group stated.
“This unfortunate situation has threatened the socioeconomic activities in Damaturu and Maiduguri thereby placing their people in a state of fear and despair,” it added.
The ACF, acknowledged the efforts of the military and other security agencies in the fight against terrorists, but urged them to do more in repelling terrorists attacks and chasing them out of their enclaves.
“Furthermore, ACF calls on the military to sustain constant surveillance along the Damaturu- Mainok -Jakana-Auno and other parts of the states in order to secure the road and villages along the axis.
“This will assure commuters and villagers of adequate protection. Media reports that the terrorists have taken over the road is most worrisome.”
The ACF appealed to the Federal Government to provide adequate equipment and logistics to troops at the front line to adequately confront the terrorists head-on.
“The efforts of rebuilding the war-ravaged areas can only be done and sustained in a secured environment, hence the need for the military to be more proactive and employ strategies that will permanently degrade the activities of the terrorists.”
It urged communities to cooperate and share intelligence with security agencies in order to terminate terrorist activities.
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