Northern govs, monarchs push for State Police amid rising insecurity

Northern govs, monarchs push for State Police amid rising insecurity

The agitation for state police yesterday got the full backing of Northern State governors and traditional rulers with both sides urging the National Assembly to expedite action on the legal framework for its creation.

They were of the view that the move would go a long way in addressing the current security challenge in the country.

The governors and traditional rulers met in Kaduna against the background of the recent resurgence of acts of terrorism in that part of the country.

They said it was imperative for the federal government to urgently review the current strategy on fighting terrorism.

In a communiqué issued at the end of yesterday’s meeting, the governors acknowledged “the critical role of non-partisan cooperation, collaboration and peer review in effectively addressing the numerous developmental challenges confronting the northern region and the nation at large.”

It also hailed President Bola Tinubu for “his sustained commitment to addressing the security challenges and infrastructural deficits in Northern Nigeria.”

Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, Inuwa Yahaya, who read the communiqué, said he and his colleagues would liaise with the larger Nigerian Governors Forum to work out modalities on how to increase support for the Federal Security Forces.

Besides, they resolved to “set up inter-state platforms to coordinate surveillance on our joint borders” and to strengthen peculiar local initiatives in combating all forms of security challenges.

In a speech at the opening of the meeting, Yahaya expressed outrage at the setback recorded in the fight against terrorism especially the recent violence and killings in Plateau, Benue, Bauchi, Borno, Benue and Yobe states.

“The mindless acts of violence against innocent citizens remind us of the urgent need to redouble our security efforts and ensure that adequate security measures are vigorously implemented for the safety of our people,” he said.

He commended President Tinubu “for his sustained commitment to Nigeria’s security” but stressed that “we must acknowledge the recent setbacks in our efforts to combat insecurity and other social vices.”

He said the lesson drawn from the collective efforts and consultation by a broad spectrum of Nigerians on the tax reform bills could help in evolving a mutually beneficial resolution of the security matter.

He said: ”This demonstrates the power of constructive engagement, and I commend Mr. President for his listening ear and commitment to inclusive governance.

“We recommend that, going forward, such collaborative approach should guide all matters of inter-governmental relations in the interest of the people.”

He also commended the President for his commitment to the completion of the ongoing Kaduna-Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway and the AKK gas pipeline among many others, other projects like the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, Kano-Maiduguri Expressway and Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu Expressway which were awarded in the past.

He said that with the approach of the rainy season, government must implement proactive measures to mitigate the perennial farmer-herder clashes and address climate-related challenges like floods and draughts.

Earlier, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, in his address of welcome, lauded the efforts of the NSGF and the traditional rulers’ council in promoting unity and consensus in the North.

He said: “In spite of our diversity, the two bodies have found a way of forging consensus on critical issues.

“We have made progress, but challenges remain. We must hasten the development and implementation of a regional roadmap for peace, security, and development.”

Sani commended President Tinubu for his commitment to North’s development, particularly for reviving the long-abandoned Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria-Kano dual carriageway, describing it as a “lifeline for Northern Nigeria.”

Also speaking at the meeting, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, reaffirmed the commitment of the traditional rulers to efforts aimed at tackling insecurity across the country.

The Sultan, who doubles as Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, said the persistent killings across various parts of the North have made it imperative for leaders to unite and take decisive action.

“Every life matters,” he said, and called for a holistic approach to restore peace and enable citizens to live freely and in harmony.

He condemned the criminalisation of ethnic or religious groups, warning that such narratives only fuel division.

“We must leave here with the understanding that a criminal anywhere is a threat to all of us,” he said.

The traditional ruler, who also acknowledged the efforts already made to address the crisis, emphasised that more needed to be done.

Abubakar declared: “Much has been done, but clearly not enough.

“As long as people continue to be killed, the perception will remain that nothing is being done.”

He said the challenges facing the North were national in nature, and praised Tinubu’s commitment to finding lasting solutions.

He, however, urged intensified action to end the bloodshed and to reassure the citizens that their safety remains a top priority.

Present at the joint meeting were the governors of Nasarawa, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Kebbi, Katsina, Kogi, Yobe, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Sokoto, and Jigawa states.

Also in attendance were 19 top traditional rulers from across the Northern region under the umbrella of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council.

Yesterday’s meeting was preceded on Friday night by that of the Governors of the seven North West states of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara on insecurity, unemployment and drug  abuse.

Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum Umar Dikko Radda said they agreed to work together to tackle the issues.

He described their deliberation as fruitful.

“We had a long discussion on challenges affecting our region and we have had presentations from the Northwest Development Commission, as well as the Federal Medical University Funtua for the region,” he said.

“We have all agreed to work together on these issues raised in order to bring the necessary development that is needed in the region.”

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said they were working together to tackle issues affecting the region, and we are in close collaboration with development partners in order to find lasting solutions to the issues affecting the zone.

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