The Northern Socio-cultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF has called on the Federal government to fully investigate the alledged helicopter supplying weapons and foods to bandits in the forest.
National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Mr. Emmanuel Yawe in a statement on Monday recalled suspicion of helicopter supplying arms and food to bandits was rife in March this year which the Federal government has to declare a no flying zone in Zamfara.
There were media reports linking the arrested helicopter to the former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) which he denied.
The statement noted: “Early in March this year he at the height of the kidnap of students of the Jangebe Government girls Secondary School, in Zamfara the Federal Government slammed a ban of flights over the state.
“In reaction, our National Chairman Chief Audu Ogbe issued a statement calling for the ban to be extended to states such as Borno, Taraba, Benue, Yobe where there were rumours that arms, foodstuffs and other supplies were being dropped for bandits by a mysterious helicopter.
“Today, there are various accounts that a helicopter that has been used to drop supllies for the criminals has been arrested.
“The accounts are rather confusing with the rather scandalous accusation that a former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalami is the owner of the aircraft.
“The General has since dismissed the rumour that he owns it.
“We have diligently followed these sordid revelations in the media. The Arewa Consultative Forum is convinced that there is need for an open and transparent investigation on the orders of President, Commander in Chief, Muahammadu Buhari
“We hope the result of this investigation will clear whatever doubts there are about righting our security challenges.”
