From Jibrin Miachi, Kaduna
- ‘Food Security Jeopardised’, Say Northern Governors
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday declared war on bandits and other criminals who have deepened the security crisis in a nation still battling recalcitrant Boko Haram terrorists.
Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the meeting of Nineteen Northern Governors in Kaduna, Thursday, hinted that his government was not ready to give amnesty to bandits as suggested and vehemently canvassed by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi.
He, however, expressed regrets over the security situation in the country which has over the years subjected people to tears and sorrow.
Buhari restated his commitment to addressing insecurity in the country at meeting, which was also attended by traditional rulers in the region.
In his address, Buhari lamented the slow pace of growth and development in the country as a result of unholy activities of vandals threatening the lives of Nigerians and economic wellbeing of the country.
To this end, he said “government will and continue to deal with insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals who constitute treat to innocent citizens across the country.
“Criminals are criminals and should be dealt with accordingly without resulting to ethnic profiling.”
Speaking further, the President said “the new Service Chiefs have been tasked to device new strategies and come up with how best to end this ugly situation where the lives of our people continue to be threatened.
“At this meeting, the Forum also discussed and devised ways of building stronger collaborations with the security architecture, the security personnel and the people in defeating terrorism, banditry and criminality across the region and the nation.
“Democracy and development indices are inexplicable low because without peace there can be no sustainable development and without development there will be no durable peace builder”, Buhari noted.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Governor of Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, Simon Bako Lalong described “insecurity” as a “clog in the wheel of progress” not only in the North, but in the country as a whole.
He stressed that “farming which is a major preoccupation of our people is being hampered” and “the result is that the economy of the nation is being gradually being affected”. Consequently, “food security also is jeopardised.
“This is why we have remained resolute in advising and supporting Federal government to work for a more secured nation using opportunities at our disposals“, Lalong explained as he said they will continue to engage other stakeholders in finding solution to the security challenges in the country.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Speaker and other members of the National Assembly, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, as well as the Chairmen of Northern States Traditional Rulers Council among other notable figures.
After extensive deliberations at the meeting, the Northern Governors Forum resolved to work with their Southern counterparts and appealed to their colleagues to work towards achieving harmonious and peaceful coexistence among citizens.
