Sokoto State Governor Wants Sahel Leaders Mobilised to Tackle Insecurity

The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has called on the Nigerian Government to assemble leaders of the Sahel region, inundated by frequent attacks of insurgents, dry climate, food and water shortages, for a summit on the common challenge of insecurity facing the region.

The region comprises of Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria.

The remaining are: Cameroon, Chad,Central African Republic,South Sudan, Sudan and Eritrea.

Governor Tambuwal made the call in Katsina State, at the plenary of the multilateral security meeting on border security of Maradi, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states and Maradi region.

“I urge the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Muhammmadu Buhari to rally all leaders of the Sahel region to come together and fight the menace of insecurity that has become intractable in the subregion. 

“There is a need for greater collaboration and cooperation  between the leaders of the region to beat back terrorism,” Tambuwal emphasised.

He expressed gratitude to Presidents Muhammad Buhari and Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic for their kind approval to convene the meeting, while applauding the efforts of the security outfits for their operations.

The governor appealed to all citizens in Niger Republic and Nigeria to continue to cooperate with the security operatives in both countries to stem the tide of insecurity.

The Governor of Maradi, Chaibou Boubacar, who was also the convener of the meeting, noted that the sub region has been in dire distress this rainy season.

“We’ve had so many meetings in the past, but we’re yet to demonstrate unity of purpose to confront the issues of insecurity,” he said.

Proactive Efforts

Boubacar expressed appreciation to all the security agencies for their proactive efforts towards resolving security challenges.

Also speaking, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, who hosted the meeting, urged participants to think out of the box and come up with useful suggestions that would help to bring the problem of insecurity to an end.

Security Structure

He said in its efforts to tackle the problem, the state government has established a 3-tier security structure. “Much is being done. Nonetheless, government must continue to explore more ways,” he added.

Zamfara state Governor, Bello Mutawalle who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Hassan Nasiha, said the region has been battling with insecurity for over a decade.

He explained that the conflicts has escalated over the states bringing about food shortages, dislocations and other inconveniences.

According to him, the state government has been employing kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to arrest the situation.

The Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, who was represented by his Deputy, Samaila Yombe, said communities in the sub-region have been devastated and traumatised over the years.

He stated that although the security agencies have been working conscientiously to stem the tide of the problem, what is wanting is the unity of purpose to overcome it once and for all.

He, however, expressed confidence that the occasion would fashion out ways and means of confronting and tackling the issues at hand.

At the opening of the meeting, the Special Adviser to Katsina state Governor on security issues, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad Katsina, commended the initiative for the meeting.

He said it came at a time when security challenges (banditry, drug trafficking and movement of small and light weapons across the subregion) have become multinational thus requiring multidimensional approaches.

The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, other traditional rulers and stakeholders, including security chiefs from Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara graced the occasion.

 

 

Confidence Okwuchi