The bilateral strike on terrorists hideouts in Sokoto State on Thursday has been described as a bold and courteous step to stamp out extremism in Nigeria.
In a statement at the weekend, Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, (AYDM) a coalition of 130 Pan Yoruba groups set the joint strike between Nigeria and the United States represents a present and consistent threat to Islamic fundamentalism in Nigeria. The statement was signed by AYDM General Secretary Popoola Ajayi and Rasaq Arogundade.
The AYDM called for the immediate arrest of Sheik Gumi who the group described as the leader of the terrorists’ intellectual wing.
“Sheik Gumi should be arrested. He is a terrorists masquerading as Islamic scholar. We are going to mount local and international campaign to ensure his arrest and prosecution at the International Criminal Court, (ICC)
AYDM warned the South West Governors to prepare for terrorists operations and possible attacks on the region as the terrorists would wish to fight back targeting the home base of the President and also foreign economic interests of which Lagos and the South West is chief host
The group said the US and Nigeria should carry out more strikes to defeat terrorism in Nigeria. AYDM however said the growing spate of Islamic extremism reflects the violent clash of civilisation in Nigeria urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to decentralise Nigeria for ethnic self determination.
“We welcome the attacks on terrorists that are determined to take over the Nigerian space. The attack has shown that Nigeria is building effective partnership across the world to reclaim the lost sovereignty of the country. The attacks are not enough. It is time to restructure Nigeria so that those who believe in a theocratic state and those who cherish democracy should have their own sovereign Republics”
AYDM said there is no country that can fight terrorism alone without sharing intelligence and operations with allies.
The group said terrorism in Nigeria has become a tool for political bargain.
“Terrorists and their sponsors are blackmailing Nigeria to submit power to them or risk widespread violence,” the group said.
It said the terrorists have their ideological camps made up of rich and influential Fulani who support violence employed to make Nigeria ungovernable so as to pave the way for military coup or complete take over the the political economy.
“We are dealing with sponsors of terrorists who do not believe in power sharing.They want the whole country to be at their mercy.
AYDM said with the US involvement in counter terrorism operations in Nigeria, the days of the terrorists are numbered.
AYDM also urged President Tinubu to expand frontiers of support to Russia and Israel.
“Nigeria needs as many countries as possible, as many friends that are necessary to defeat terrror. The Nigerian authority should also seek collaboration with Russia and Israel some of the few countries that gives unconditional support to Africa’s strive for freedom.
“We wish to see the Nigerian anti terrorism framework extended to Russia Given the progressive role of Russia in counter terrorism operations in the Sahel, Nigeria needs to work with Russia and others to be able to effectively fight terrorism,” AYDM said.
