The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has raised alarm that an aircraft frequently drops arms for bandits and insurgents in some Northern states as a way of fueling insecurity.
To stop arms proliferation, ACF asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare Benue, Taraba and Borno states no-fly zones.
This followed President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of Zamfara a no-fly zone as part of measures to crush bandits operating in the state after the recent abduction of students of Government Secondary School, Jangebe.
Audu Ogbeh, ACF Chairman, noted that are rumours that aircraft “frequently drop arms for bandits and insurgents” operating in the aforementioned states.
Ogbeh said the extended ban will curtail criminal activities in the areas.
“Arewa Consultative Forum congratulates the people and government of Zamfara state on the safe release of the kidnapped schoolgirls from the Government Girls Secondary School in the state,” the statement reads.
“We are also happy with the federal government’s decision to ban flights in the state.
“We also plead with the government to extend the ban to other states like Benue, Taraba, Borno where there are rumours that helicopters frequently drop arms for bandits and insurgents operating in these states.
“We believe that such an extended ban will curtail the operations of the criminals in these areas.”
He, however, congratulated the Zamfara state government on the safe release of the Jangebe girls.
