Worried by the increasing rate of banditry in the North, particularly in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Sokoto states, the apex northern socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum, has convened a meeting of its board of trustees.

A member of the Board of Trustees of ACF, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the meeting, slated for Wednesday (today), would discuss the rising incidence of kidnappings and killings in the North in particular, and the country in general.

Although spokesman for ACF, Mr Muhammad Biu, declined to comment on the allegation against traditional rulers, he confirmed that the forum’s BOT would meet on Wednesday (today) over the problem of banditry.

In an SMS to one of our correspondents, Biu stated, “We have the BoT meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss the general insecurity due to kidnappings and insurgency in the country; for now, no comment please.”

But another member of the forum, who issued a statement last week, said the group was concerned that banditry was assuming a dangerous dimension.

“ACF’s Board of Trustees is meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) and the issue of banditry which has assumed a dangerous dimension will feature prominently during the meeting,” the source said.

The northern body last week raised the alarm over the rising spate of kidnappings and other forms of banditry in some parts of the region.

Biu, who issued a statement on the issue, had said, “Arewa Consultative Forum and indeed Nigerians are worried by reports of the kidnapping of innocent people along the highways and the frequent attacks on villages by some bandits.

“The kidnappings and attacks on the people, especially along Kaduna-Abuja Expressway and many villages in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna states as well as many parts of the country are cruel, barbaric and inhuman.”

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