By JIDE AJANI, Editor, Northern Operations & ALBERT AKPOR
ABUJA – THERE were strong indications, yesterday, that the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, is not about to let up on its relevance within the Nigerian polity as it has scheduled a meeting of very senior retired military officers of Northern extraction to a meeting slated for Wednesday, March 23, 2011.

Vanguard has authoritatively discovered a letter of invitation dated March 1, 2011, sent out by the ACF to 44 of such individuals.

This came as the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, yesterday, queried the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abubakar Alkali, over the disturbing spate of crimes in the state.

The letter of invitation was signed by Colonel Musa Shehu (rtd), in his capacity as the Secretary General of the elite Northern body.

The invitation indicated that at the end of the deliberations “submissions would be made to the Federal Government as our contribution to finding solution to the incessant communal and ethno-religious conflicts ravaging our region in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”

Security situation

The document which is in Vanguard’s possession reads: “PROPOSED MEETING OF FORMER SECURITY CHIEFS OF NORTHERN EXTRACTION

“As you are now aware, the security situation in the country has taken a turn for the worst. For quite some time now, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has engaged its members in different Standing Committees in order to come up with suggestions that could be made to assist those in authority to effectively address the worsening situation.

It is at one of these sessions that it was agreed that the North has large resources of credible experts, experienced and respectful professionals whose input would enhance the integrity of any submission by the ACF.

“Consequently, it was agreed to request you to personally participate at a roundtable set up for this purpose by the ACF. Your discussions would be free and frank and would be made to the Federal Government as our contribution to finding solution to the incessant communal and ethno-religious conflicts ravaging our region in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

“As an accomplished professional and very highly esteemed member of our community who has served and headed your service meritoriously at one time or the other your personal attendance and participation will be greatly appreciated.

The roundtable is planned to hold on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the ACF Conference Room No. 11A, Sokoto Road, Kaduna, from 1100hrs.”

The Roundtable which is proposed to be chaired by Alhaji M D Yusuf, GCON, has the following distinguished personalities as invited participants:

*Lt. Gen M I Wushishi, GCON; *Gen. Domkat Bali, GCON; *Alhaji Umaru Aliyu Shinkafi, GCON; *Alhaji Mohammed Gambo Jimeta, CFR; *Air Marshal A D Bello, GCON; *Lt. Gen. Salihu Ibrahim, CFR; *Alhaji Aliyu Attah, CFR; *Lt. Gen. Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, GCON; *Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie, CFR
*Brig. Gen. Haliru Akilu, CON,; *Admiral Saidu Suleiman, CFR; *Alhaji Ismaila Gwarzo; *Major-Gen. A Kazir, CFR; * Air Vice Marshal Idi Musa, CFR

*Major Gen M C Ali, CFR; *Air Marshal Al-Amin Dagash; *Lt. Gen. Victor Malu, CFR; *Lt. Gen. I I Bamaiyi, CFR; *Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi, GCON; *Major Gen. Sarki Mukhtar; *Amb. Adamu Mohammed; *Amb. Babagana Kingibe, CFR; *Alhaji Bukar Usman, MFR; *Amb. Ibrahim Zakari, CON; *Gen. Martins L Agwai, GCON; *Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Sabo; *Major Gen. A M Halidu Giwa; *Air Marshal Isaac Alfa, CFR; *Air Marshal Jonah Wuyep, CFR; 8Major Gen. Mohammed Said; *Lt. Gen. A D Danbazau, CFR; *Mr. Afakriya Gadzama, MFR; *Vice Admiral I I Ibrahim, CFR; *Brig. Gen. M A Umar, Secretary”

The document pleaded that the invited personalities should “kindly indicate your availability to attend by contact the following coordinators of the roundtable meeting: Gen. Haliru Akilu (rtd), Brig. Gen. M N Umar (rtd), and Colonel Musa Shehu (rtd). While we look forward to seeing you at the Roundtable, be assured of our usual respect and sincere regards.”

A security expert, however, told Vanguard that “it is curious that such a meeting of strategic importance is being called at a time like this and not earlier”.

IGP queries Lagos CP

Apparently disturbed by the spate of armed robbery in Lagos State, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Hafiz Ringim, yesterday, warned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abubakar Alkali, to buckle up or be prepared to leave the state.

The IGP in a signal signed by his Principal Staff Officer, PSO, said he was particularly worried over reports of incessant armed robberies and civil disturbances in Ketu and Mushin areas of the state since Alkali took over from his predecessor, Marvel Akpoyibo. He noted that instead of reducing, crime rate has since shot up astronomically.

Meanwhile, the CP was said to have held a marathon security meeting with his senior officers yesterday with a view to finding solution to the spate of insecurity in the state.

Change of officers

A source was quoted as saying that one of the mistakes Alkali might have made was the immediate change of some senior officers in key commands instead of consolidating. He said: “We told him that a good administrator does not dismantle an already existing structure but he seemed not to have heeded that golden advice. What he did was to bring in his kinsmen who are totally alien to what is on ground. The result is what you are now seeing.”