They, however, restated their readiness to support governments programmes and projects at all levels to bring about peace and rehabilitation of the economic climate of the region.
As a way to begin, the council has resolved to offer assistance to displaced persons affected by the insurgency, by providing food and medications to various refugee camps in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States in the North East.
Also at the weekend, the palpable peace in Kaduna was tested with speculations of an impending attack on the Sabon Tasha Main Motor park, also known as Television Garage, in Kaduna South Local Government Area. As a result, the entire area was cordoned-off by security operatives.
Business activities were also seriously interrupted during the operation as some marketers and traders fled the area.
Sunday Independent correspondent who was at the garage, reported that cars were disallowed from parking even anywhere near the garage, while only vehicles going out for night journey were allowed to load and go out of the park.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has expressed concerns over the rising spate of violence, bombings and killing of innocent citizens in North Eastern Nigeria and other areas.
In a communiqué at the end of their second annual plenary meeting in Warri, Delta State, released on Saturday, the bishops said government must rise to its duty of protecting the lives and property of its people.
The communiqué signed by CBCN’s President, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama and Secretary, Most Rev. William Avenya, said: “As Nigeria tragically bleeds and burns, we Bishops are really alarmed at the scale of human, material destruction, and the disruption of village and community life with increased levels of hatred and potentials for more conflicts in the nation.
“Our government must do more than it is currently doing to safeguard our lives and defend our nation… It must do more than it is currently doing to prevent segments of our nation from drifting, anarchy and mutual self-destruction and bring criminals to justice,” it added.
Speaking on the ordeal of many Nigerians in the hard hit areas, the bishops called for a joint effort from all citizens, communities and leaders at various levels to support the government as it strives to put an end to the violence
The conference said it had mandated its charity and emergency arm- CARITAS to immediately provide funds and succor to affected peoples as is within their capacity, adding that “these are critical times for our country and everyone in position of authority must do everything possible to save our dear country, Nigeria.”
Also, Senate Minority Deputy Whip, Senator Abu Ibrahim, has expressed firm optimism that the declaration of total war against Boko Haram in the North-East by the Senate will not truncate the 2015 elections.
Senator Ibrahim told Sunday Independent in an interview that if countries like Iraq and Afghanistan could hold elections despite being in war, no amount of insurgency can stop Nigeria from doing same.
He believes it would be too early for anybody to assume that there will be no elections in parts of the North-East on account of the current efforts by the federal government to combat insurgency in the region.
“We cannot say we are not going to hold election there because we have seen countries that are worse in insecurity but they held elections but we even hoped that with the pressure being mounted on the security forces now hopefully before the election date proper all these insurgencies will end,” Ibrahim said.
The Federal Government has once again assured that efforts are ongoing to find and secure the safe release of the Chibok girls from the Boko Haram insurgents.
In a telephone interview with Sunday Independent, Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, said: “The rescue of the Chibok’s school girls remains paramount as parts of the ongoing war against insurgency and terrorism. The efforts have not and will not diminished in any form.”
Also speaking on the international collaboration on the Chibok’s girls, Coordinator of the National Information Centre, Mike Omeri maintained that the efforts were yielding positive results and would be disclosed to the public at the appropriate time.
“All I can tell you is that efforts to rescue the girls are ongoing and that the Federal Government will never abandon our Chibok’s girls, nor will the Nigerian military cede any part of the country to any group,” Omeri said.
