Northern Governors Forum demand probe of Mailafiya remark that one of them is a leader of Boko Haram

    

The Northern Governors' Forum (NGF) chaired by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau, have reacted to the weighty allegation made by a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Obadiah Mailafiya. Mailafiya had claimed that a northern governor, whose name he refused to mention, is one of the leaders of the dreaded Boko Haram group, This Day reports. 

In reaction to the serious claim, governors from the region have called on the federal government to thoroughly investigate Mailafiya's remark. 

The Plateau state governor defended the forum by saying that it has on several occasions engaged the presidency, security agencies, civil society groups and even traditional rulers in discussions that will profer lasting solutions to the menace ravaging the region. In its resolution, the forum said that the former CBN chief's allegations cannot be swept under the carpet and that they 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.” 

He was invited by the DSS over a claim he made that a governor from northern Nigeria was one of the commanders of Boko Haram. The former CBN chief made the claim while being interviewed by a popular radio station on Monday, August 10. 

He reported to the Jos office of the DSS on Thursday, August 12, accompanied by his lawyers, Pius Akubo (SAN) and Yakubu Bawa. Hundreds of his supporters also stormed the office of the DSS in solidarity with the ex-banker, carrying placards and stayed till he was released at about 6:30 pm.

Addressing his supporters after six hours interview with the DSS, Mailafia said he stood by what he said during the radio programme. He, however, said a section of the interview was lifted, leaving out the context in which he made the statement.