>
The Arewa Consultative Forum, a northern socio-political organisation has warned Niger Delta ex-militants against threatening a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.).
Danjuma had called for the arrest of Dokubo-Asari, Victor Ben Ebikabowei a.k.a Boy Loaf; Government Ekpudomenowei, a.k.a Tompolo and other militants after they threatened war if President Goodluck Jonathan lost the Febraury 14 elections. but in their response to Danjuma’s call, the ex-militants threatened to attack Danjuma’s business interest in the South South and also said that it is Danjuma who should be arrested for sponsoring terrorism in the north.
National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Muhammadu Ibrahim, said in a statement in Kaduna on Monday: “ACF and indeed all Nigerians hold Gen T.Y. Danjuma, former Chief of Army Staff and Defence Minister in high esteem, as a revered patriot, elder statesman and a philanthropist of repute who fought for the unity of Nigeria and has continued to play this fatherly role even in his old age.
“ACF will therefore not accept any threat to his person or business assets or to any law-abiding citizen by any group or individuals in the name of militancy.”
The statement reads further: “ACF wishes to remind the Niger Delta militants that President Jonathan did not ascend to his present position through threats and intimidation, but rather through democratic means of canvassing for votes without any form of molestation throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria in 2011.
“The same process the President and other candidates vying for the office shall go through to emerge as Nigeria’s President in 2015 and not through intimidation, threats and ultimatum.
“ACF therefore views such threats and intimidation by the ex-militants as an affront not only to Gen. Danjuma but an attack on a democratically elected Federal Government of Nigeria, over which President Jonathan presides.
“It is also an open challenge to the nation’s security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Security and even the Nigerian military that are responsible for maintaining law and order and any form of internal and external aggression against Nigeria.
“ACF hereby calls upon the Federal Government to urgently take necessary steps and contain this emerging threat to national security by Niger Delta ex- militants to avert any ugly consequences.”