Northern Governors Want Security Agencies to Probe Mailafia’s Allegation as Ex-CBN Deputy Governor Stands By Statement

Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) has urged security agencies to investigate allegation by a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Obadiah Mailafia that one of its member is a Boko Haram commander.

The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, in a statement on Wednesday said the call was necessary to verify the authenticity of Mailafia’s claims.

“The forum, which has been working with the federal government, security agencies, community, civil society, traditional and religious leaders as well as development partners to defeat terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality in the region finds the allegation by Dr. Mailafia very weighty, which deserves further investigation.

“We as Northern governors have met severally to discuss insecurity in the Northern region and the nation at large where we did not only condemn the activities of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers, and other criminals, but also engaged the president and all heads of security agencies in finding solutions to the problem. To now say that one of our members is leading Boko Haram in Nigeria is a serious allegation that cannot be swept under the carpet. We demand an immediate and thorough investigation” the statement said.

The governors also wondered if “such allegations are not smear campaigns or attempts to discourage the Northern governors who are putting in their best to bring an end to insecurity in the region.”

Mailafia had on Wednesday honoured the invitation of the Department of State Services (DSS) at their Jos office. He was grilled for six hours. The former CBN Deputy Governor who addressed the press thereafter said he stand by his comments.