Ali Modu Sheriff, SAS, has caused unimaginable turmoil and turbulence in Borno and to Nigeria as a whole. Each time he comes to town, bombs go off as a sort-of welcome. No one can tolerate him any more in Borno, yet he is the safest man, able to drive solo to places no one else will dare. Borno youth have been begging and begging for the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN to investigate him. In June-July of 2013, Borno Youth burned down the house of Mala Uthman, a SAS accomplice. He was arrested and saved by the police. Borno youth then proceeded to SAS’ house to burn that down too, but the police blocked them. SAS ran from justice to hide and be safe in Abuja and later Atlanta Georgia. Rather than face justice, he purchased Nigeria’s most expensive private plane. Mala Uthman had in the past been arrested with his car loaded with ammunition.
The Borno Youth for Peace and Restoration of Democracy wrote a passionate letter to President Goodluck Jonathan in which they pleaded he answer to the cry of people of Borno and Nigeria and bring SAS to book. The letter was published as an advertorial in the Daily Trust of Friday, August 1, 2014. In it they pointed to SAS’ role in the genesis of Boko Haram (born as ECOMOG) and passionately requested the president of Nigeria immediately investigate and prosecute him.
The letter is reproduced below:
OPEN LETTER TO MR. PRESIDENT DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA GENESIS OF BOKO INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA
With much honour to you, the association of youth for peace and restoration of democracy in Bornu State wishes to forward the above captioned. The Youth for Peace in Bornu State after due scrutiny of the allegation that the Ex-Governor of Bornu State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is the alleged mastermind of Boko Haram, insurgency in Nigeria should be investigated.
The rationale for assertion is as follows:
Introduction of ECOMOG:
The so-called ECOMOG were first noticed when Ali Sheriff contested for Governorship candidate in 2003 under the platform of A.P.P. After the emergence of Boko Haram crisis in 2009 when the leader, Mohammed Yusuf was killed, many ECOMOG were arrested and killed on involvement in the crisis.
Among the notorious ECOMOG members was Musa popularly known as “DUHU”.
The Ex-Governor Ali Sheriff created a Ministry of Religious Affairs through to which he appointed one of the Boko Haram Leaders, Buji Foi as commissioner of religious affairs. Buji was arrested and died in the hands of security operatives after he confessed as being a member of the sect.
The amazing thing is when Buji Foi was arrested, he urged the security operatives to allow him see Ali Sheriff so that he will discuss some important issue in the presence of security agents. When Sheriff was told his request, he refused to see him and the security operatives subsequently summarily killed him.
Bornu citizens ask the Federal Government why Sheriff was allowed to land at the Maiduguri international airport despite the fact that Muslims intending to go for lesser Haji Umra were not allow to use the airport for their holy trip.
After his 8 years as Executive Governor of Bornu State, he contested for senatorial seat representing Bornu Central Senatorial Seat he was defeated in the election by someone called Ahmed Zannah who is not even popular, nor influential with far distance votes, Ali Sheriff lost the senatorial seat with all his influence in the government. A reasonable man must look for the reason of his defeat.
Upon all the killing of lives and destruction of properties in Bornu State, Ali Sheriff, if he is patriotic citizen of the State must sympathize and commiserate with the people and the government of Bornu State but Ali Sheriff have never commiserate with the people of the State by any means.
Senate Committee on Security has already ordered that the Ex-Governor, Ali Sheriff should be stopped from entering Maiduguri, the state capital since there are lot of allegations against him by Bornu youths which may possible bring crisis in the State.
Similarly, Bornu elders’ forum had once criticised , Ali Sheriff on why accusing fingers are on him, when many governors have come before him. There must be a reason for such assertion.
It could be recalled that the State Chairman of the former, A.N.P.P, Mala Uthman who was an intimate friend to Sheriff was arrested by the civilian JTF after discovering weapons where one of his house was burnt and he was beaten seriously and handed over to security operatives.
Finally , we urged Mr. President and security operatives to join hand together and investigate all the allegations against Ali Sheriff and if found wanting he should be brought to book so that the menace of Boko Haram will be a thing of the past.
Mohammed Abass Chairman Youth For Peace and Restoration of Democracy In Bornu Plot 1059, Sir Kashim Way, Maiduguri Bornu State
Contact number: 09020379102
CC: Minister of Defence
National Security Adviser
Chief of Defence Staff
Chief of Army Staff
I.G of Police
D.G S.S.S
D.G N.I.A