Arewa Chiefs Condemn Boko Haram Mayhem

The Council of Arewa Chiefs in Lagos rose from a meeting on Sunday, condemning the Boko Haram sect over its acts of carnage and the threat to Christians in the northern part of the country.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, their spokesman, the Sarkin-Hausawan Lagos, Alhaji Aminu Yaro, said that the Arewa Council of chiefs “totally condemn the acts of killings associated with the sect”. “We condemn in its entirety, the activities of the Boko Haram sect and the call for the relocation of all Southerners and Christians from Northern States in Nigeria; we believe in the unity of Nigeria irrespective of religious or ethnic differences and affiliations.”

“We implore Nigerians to live in harmony and peaceful co-existence with their host communities irrespective of their tribe and other differences,” he said.

Yaro added: “The Supreme Court recently affirmed President Goodluck Jonathan as duly elected by Nigerians. Since Nigerians voted him, they should give him the support to lead us.”

The Sarkin-Hausawa Yaro also spoke on the need for Nigerians to show more understanding and support for the Federal Government over the fuel subsidy removal.

He urged Nigerians to make use of institutions which the Federal Government set up to resolve crises.

Our correspondent reports that the organised Labour Unions are insisting on going ahead with their proposed indefinite strike over the fuel subsidy removal, slated to begin today.

This is in spite of an injunction by the National Industrial Court, Abuja, restraining the NLC and its affiliates from proceeding on strike.

However, Yaro urged the Federal Government to continue to dialogue with Nigerians on the issue as well as seek more ways to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

At the briefing were the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, the President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima and Sarkin Hausawa, representing the various Northern Communities in Lagos.