FG seeks stakeholders’ support to end terrorism; others in the Northeast
Tada Jutha
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has sought the support of stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, to end terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping in the Northeast.
According to him, civil society organisations (CSOs) are to provide maximum support to the military and other security agencies’ kinetic and non-kinetic strategies of addressing insecurity in the region.
Akume tasked the stakeholders yesterday (Thursday) in Maiduguri with a two-day stakeholders engagement on the challenges of insecurity in the Northeast geopolitical zone, organised by the Borno state government in collaboration with the office of SGF.
The workshop, themed “Sustaining Post-Conflict Recovery through Effective Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Initiative,” was to strengthen recovery and peacebuilding processes in the region, comprising the insurgency-affected states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.
Akume, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, David Atah, said thatsecurity is everybody’s business; therefore, the workshop will provide a platform for effective conflict resolution and post-conflict recovery with people’s livelihoods.
He added that “the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is concerned with security challenges and has been working to reduce them to the barest level,” noting that the collaborative efforts of the federal government have improved the security situation in most parts of the country.
He said the sacrifices and gallantry of members of the security agencies have resulted in the neutralisation of many bandits, insurgents, and fundamentalists, including foreign intruders.
He said that about 150, 000 repentant Boko Haram terrorists and their families have surrendered to the military.
“In line with Nigeria’s adherence to international human rights rules, thousands of them were captured, and the insurgents are undergoing rehabilitation,” he said, noting that this is preparatory to their return to communities.
He said that the Nigerian Armed Forces have sustained the military onslaught on the armed bandits’ enclaves in the North West and North Central geopolitical zones.He said this includes the separatists in the Southeast and parts of the South-South geopolitical zones.
According to him, substantial successes have been recorded through these efforts and other strategies of engagement.
“In the maritime domain, our waters have become calmer, and negative reports of daily attacks by pirates have reduced in frequency and magnitude,” he said.
He, however, noted that there are isolated cases of attacks in the creeks of the Niger Delta region.
“The cross-country security synopsis was to enable critical stakeholders to appreciate the magnitude of the efforts of the federal government in managing the security situation,” he noted.
Other security measures adopted in the northeast include the deployment of additional security personnel, the procurement of more security equipment and platforms, the formation of additional military units, the deployment of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), and Operation Safe Corridor to rehabilitate the repentant elements, among others.
Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by the Head of Service (HoS), Mallam Fannami, said the workshop will also create a forum to review the security challenges with corresponding recommendations for protecting lives and property.
He said this will sustain trust and confidence between the government and the various communities affected by over a decade of terrorism.
