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Northern groups call for non-kinetic approach to security challenge
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has called on the Federal Government to adopt a non-kinetic approach to address the security challenge in the country.
Mr Habibu Ruma, the state Coordinator of the coalition said this in Katsina on Sunday during a round-table meeting on the deteriorating security situation in the state.
Ruma said the escalating violence and banditry in the state and the northern Nigeria posed serious security threat to the country.
“It’s severely impacting all aspects of development, with illiteracy, ignorance, marginalisation, poor leadership, religious intolerance, and drug abuse as major causes.
“The recent attack on a military camp in Faskari Local Government Area (LGA) on May 12, 2024, which resulted in the deaths of five soldiers and injuries to several others, was followed by another assault less than 24 hours later.
“On May 13 an operation in Yar’malamai village in Faskari LGA, led to the abduction of more than 80 people, looting of shops, and burning of houses in an incident lasting over 10 hours.
“In spite of recent efforts by the Katsina State Government to complement our overstretched security personnel by establishing the Community Watch Corps to assist in combating terrorist activities, these initiatives have proven ineffective.
“Similar measures, such as the ‘Askarawan Zamfara’, in Zamfara State and the Community Guard Corps in Sokoto State, reflect a regional attempt to address insecurity through kinetic approaches, but these strategies have not yielded the desired results,” he said.
Ruma said that as of August 2023, the police strength was below 380,000 men, which was insufficient based on a ratio of one police officer to about 600 citizens.
“As of 2022, Nigeria, with an estimated population of about 220 million people, had a total military strength of about 223,000 personnel. This gives a ratio of military personnel to a population of approximately 11,000. This is lower than those of Nigeria’s neighbours.
“Their armoury and welfare are in shambles, while the bandits armoury is increasing by day with the latest drone testing by the terrorists, equally recruiting different segments of people either as informants or field actors.
“The Coalition in collaboration with other civil society organisations, advocates for the adoption of a non-kinetic approach to address the deteriorating security situation in the state.
“This situation required an urgent multi-dimensional approach that requires an all inclusive approach with the community as a key component to manage the worsening security situation in the state, the northern region, and the country in general,” he said.
Ruma said that the comprehensive instruments to tackle the security challenges in the state and the region should include informational, psychological, diplomatic, economic, social, and civil-military cooperation.
He added that a robust poverty alleviation programme in the state, especially in the rural areas, targeting young people should be introduced to reduce youth restiveness.
“We must reduce ungoverned spaces, manage porous borders, eradicate corruption, and promote unity in our diverse society. It is crucial that the community take ownership of the situation.
“A robust literacy programme should also be implemented in the state, particularly in rural areas,
incorporating both religious and western education to instill moral values in society, given that the majority of individuals involved in banditry lack formal education.
“It is time for the concerned authorities to explore the potential of a non-kinetic approach to address the deteriorating security situation in the state and the northern region.
“Shínkafi ín Zamfara has provided testimony on the use of a non-kinetic approach based on diplomatic, community dialogue, with remarkable results,” he said.
He said that this must be coordinated across the region with the active participation of the federal government to ensure that authorities were not sending conflicting signals to the bandits. (NAN)
The Civil Society Organization under the umbrella of the Coalition of Zamfara Youths has criticised Governor Dauda Lawal for removing 2,363 workers from the state’s payroll, describing the action as unjust and detrimental to security in the region, described the move, calling it “the height of wickedness” and arguing that it would worsen insecurity in the state.
In a statement on Tuesday, the chairman of the coalition, Dr Umar Jelaludeen, rejected the government’s claim.
“What Governor Dauda has done is purely an act of wickedness. There is nothing like ghost workers,” he said.
Jelaludeen criticised the government for not conducting a screening exercise to verify the existence of ghost workers before making the decision.
“We are in Zamfara State, and there has been no official announcement of any screening. We just woke up to the breaking news from the government,” he added.
The group also praised former Governor Bello Matawalle for his fair treatment of civil servants during his tenure.
“Under Matawalle’s administration, there were no mass sackings. Instead, he created employment opportunities, appointing 8,000 young people into his government,” the coalition stated.
The group alleged that the sacking of workers was a deliberate move to deny civil servants their wages and divert funds for private use.
“Why sack these workers, knowing fully well that they have nothing to feed on? The state government has dismissed them all in the name of ghost workers,” the coalition said.
They further warned that such actions could deter investors from coming to Zamfara due to heightened insecurity and economic instability.
“We have been complaining about insecurity in the state, and this is one of the reasons investors are reluctant to come. We call on Governor Dauda to reinstate the workers, as he is not creating jobs but rather sacking those already in the system without following due process.”
The group also expressed concerns over financial transparency, noting that in the combined 12 years of former Governors Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle, Zamfara did not receive as much federal funding as it has under Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration in just two years.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) recently held a press briefing to protest the sackings. The union accused the governor of dismissing more than 8,000 workers and failing to implement the national minimum wage in the state.
The minority caucus in the house of representatives has condemned the killing of 16 Kano-bound hunters in Edo state.
On Thursday, a mob in the Uromi area of Edo killed 16 hunters of northern descent who were travelling from Elele, Rivers state.
The travellers were attacked and lynched after some vigilance group members raised the alarm on suspicion that they were kidnappers.
The Edo state government said 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killing would be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.
During a visit to some of the families of the victims at Bankure LGA in Kano, Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, assured that justice would be served.
In a statement issued on Monday, the minority caucus described the killing of the hunters as “barbaric”.
“We find such brutal killings of innocent Nigerians in any part of the country by lawless mobs very reprehensible, and if allowed to fester without being put in check by responsible organs of the federal government, such actions could threaten the peace and unity of the country,” the statement reads.
The lawmakers asked Nigerians never to resort to jungle attacks on fellow citizens but to always report any concerns to security agencies.
“We are a nation under the rule of laws, and our law enforcement agencies are always available to partner with every Nigerian to assuage their concerns,” the caucus said.
While noting that the incident is “already setting emotions on edge” in parts of the country, the legislators urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the security agencies investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Also, adequate compensation should be paid to the affected families,” the caucus said.
The lawmakers implored Nigerians to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding and allow the federal and state governments to investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
The statement was signed by Kingsley Chinda, minority leader; Ali Isa, minority whip; and Aliyu Madaki, deputy minority leader.
Seriake Dickson, senator representing Bayelsa west, has condemned the murder of 16 Kano-bound travellers in Edo state.
Describing the incident as “deeply painful”, the former Bayelsa governor warned that those who engage in ethnic profiling are risking a Rwanda-like tragedy in Nigeria.
The travellers were attacked and lynched after members of a vigilance group in Uromi suspected that they were kidnappers.
“There should be no collective criminalization or demonization of any group of Nigerians, ethnic profiling or reprisal attacks,” Dickson wrote on Facebook.
“That was why, when I was governor, even at the height of herdsmen crisis, we insisted on law and order, and made sure that Bayelsa State was safe and free for everyone subject to the laws of the state.
“Those who profile Nigerians according to ethnic group, and criminalize and insult whole tribes are inviting the Rwandan experience which I always preach against. We must isolate and punish criminals wherever they are found and whoever they are.
“In Nigeria, everyone has a right to freedom of movement and should be protected. Everyone has the right to go about their business and feel safe while doing so.
“I call on all leaders to de-escalate tensions and work for unity and mutual coexistence of all Nigerians founded on justice and respect for the rights of all citizens as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution and laws.”
Commending the “proactive steps taken” by Monday Okpebholo, Edo governor, Dickson called on the state government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the killings and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
He also demanded compensation for families of the victims.