Four Governors from the Northwest and the governor of Maradi Region in Niger Republic on Tuesday held a high-level meeting in Katsina State on tackling insecurity in the region.
The one-day multilateral security meeting of which had in attendance the governors of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Maradi Region, in Niger Republic was declared by Gov. Schiabou Aboubacar of Maradi.
Aboubacar, who is also the convener of the meeting, said the meeting would come up with solutions to the security challenges in the Sahel region.
“We are in serious trouble in this region. Everyone knows our problems are terrorists who have denied us sleep.
“Communities living around Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina that have borders with Niger Republic hardly sleep in their Communities.
“Participants in this meeting are one family; hence, we deem it necessary to sort ourselves out to see how we can tackle the insecurity menace.
“Each state is doing its best in addressing the security challenges, but it’s not enough. We have to come together to see how we can address the problem,” he said.
Also speaking, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina, said the state government was doing everything possible to tackle insecurity, especially at the community levels.
He said that the state government has built the capacity of traditional rulers and local government administrators to deal with the emerging real and potential threats in their areas.
“We also promote the concept of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism, as provided by the state Multi-Door court process.
“And we have also enhanced and promoted Inter-security agencies liaison through the establishment of joint operations and information-sharing platform,” Masari said.
He explained that the issue of cross-border transhumance and insecurity occasioned by cattle rustling, armed banditry, kidnapping for ransom and proliferation of small arms, light weapons and ammunitions have been our problem.
According to him, series of unilateral and collective conversations have taken place at various fora towards finding lasting solutions.
“Since the protection of lives and properties are the primary responsibility of the government, leaders must continue to engage with relevant stakeholders to bring about needed peace and tranquillity to their people, hence today’s meeting.
“As we are aware, the Federal and State Governments in collaboration with the Security Agencies have beefed up and are exploring both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches towards addressing these security challenges.
“Katsina State Government in particular, has been supportive of the security agencies in the state to enable them fight armed banditry and other associated crimes,” Masari said.
In their separate remarks, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara and Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi expressed their concerns over the perennial security situation.
They expressed hope that at the end of the meeting, a lasting solution can be provided.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the end of the security meeting, a communique is expected to be issued.
NAN
