The Katsina State Elders’ Forum has called out Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, and that of State in the same ministry, Bello Matawalle, imputing non-performance to both and equivocally calling for their sack and others allegedly found wanting.

Speaking on behalf of the forum, its secretary, Alhaji Ali Muhammad, said the Defence ministers have been poor, accusing them and President Bola Tinubu of inability to address the banditry afflicting North, particularly Katsina State.

Muhammad therefore urged Tinubu to do away with inefficient cabinet members just as he lamented the growing hunger ravaging the masses.

His own word, “We have complained severally to the federal government to complement what the state government is doing, but unfortunately, the federal government has not lived up to expectation.

“It is really unfortunate, the so-called defense ministers are all from the north, but they have not done enough to protect the north, and this banditry is taking place only in this part of the country.

“They have killed hundreds of people here in Katsina and none of the ministers or the president deemed it necessary to come and condoled with the affected families and provide some succour to those who lost their people and properties.

“The cost of food items is rising by the day, everything is expensive, and the Northerners cannot afford three square meals. This is very serious and we are advising the Federal Government, Mr Tinubu has a listening ear and is a democrat and if his cabinet is not advising him well, please he should drop them and bring people with good ideas that will help him run his government the way Nigerians will be happy.”