Middle Belt Forum knocks FG, says linking Igboho with Boko Haram is ridiculous

By ISAAC SHOBAYO, Jos

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has described the Federal Government’s accusation against the Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho as having connection with Boko Haram, a ridiculous diversion from reality.

It is recalled that the Federal Government, through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), on Friday during a press conference in Abuja, accused the Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho Adeyemo of having ties with the financier of Boko Haram.

Speaking with Sunday Tribune, the National President, Middle Belt Forum, Dr Bitrus Pogu, said the Federal Government has lost focus and has begun playing double standards over insecurity in the country, adding that it was unfortunate that the government has refused to face the reality on ground.

His words: “It is a ridiculous diversion from reality. A few days ago, a railway line was bombed by people whom the Federal Government has refused to label terrorists. They are given all sorts of names like banditry, militia, gunmen, to shield them from proper prosecution.

“But it is unfortunate that the likes of Igboho and Kanu, who are freedom fighters defending their territories from attack, are being labelled terrorists because they are not Hausa/Fulani. It is ridiculous, this government needs to come out clean because by doing this they are telling us that they are behind all the insurgency happening in the North.

“When the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice contradicted Mr President on the issue of state of emergency in Anambra State, we said such a person should be removed from the government, but it is unfortunate that we have such a character in government.

“Nigerians are not fools. You cannot say these people who are killing innocent souls, bombing rail lines, shooting down aircraft are just bandits, but Igboho and Kanu who are organising their people to defend their lands are terrorists.

“It is unfortunate that we are in a country where double standards prevails. It is high time people in the South started realising what is happening in Nigeria. They have been fooled into backing these people blindly. They should stand up and defend their territory. As far as we are concerned in the Middle Belt, our motto is “our land, our people.” (Sunday Tribune)