N/East Governors Bemoan Rising Terrorist Attacks, Task FG On Security

Governors of the six states in the North East geopolitical zone have bemoaned the rising cases of Boko Haram terrorist attacks on local communities across the zone.

They are pained that the relentless attacks have left hundreds of their people dead and property worth billions of Naira destroyed.

Rising from a meeting in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on Thursday, the governors called on the federal government and the security agencies to intensify counterinsurgency campaigns in the zone.

In a communique signed by the chairman of the North East Governors Forum, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, the governors lamented the large-scale destruction to the economies of the zone.

The communique, read by the Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, pledged the governors’ resolve to collaborate and support in all matters to address emerging security issues in the country.

“The Forum notes with dismay the rising activities of the insurgents in the subregion and calls on the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter insurgency onslaught in the region.

“Forum notes that addressing the security challenge in the Northeast requires a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also address the root causes such as youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, improving education and reducing poverty.

“The Forum is committed to addressing the issues of security by tackling the current situation while addressing some of the root causes.

“Forum notes that the poor road network in the subregion is contributing to the insecurity in the region. It calls on Mr. President to, as a matter of urgent concern, address the issue of abandoned projects which is critical to addressing poverty, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the subregion.

“Forum recommits itself to the opening up of the subregion to investment opportunities, agriculture for food security, combating climate change, skills acquisition and the industrialisation of the subregion to provide employment to the teaming youths who are vulnerable to recruitment into the army of the insurgents.

“The Forum notes the role of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) in the development of the subregion and calls on the Commission to be more engaging with the various state governments on their development needs and priorities, especially in critical sectors such as road and transportation infrastructure, education, and health.

“It equally called on the Commission to rededicate itself to its core mandate, which is to rebuild the subregion after the devastation of the insurgency and be more proactive in the delivery of existing projects in the subregion by keeping track with project delivery timelines, ” the communique stated.

The governors noted the significance of the newly established Nigerian Law School Campus in Yola, Adamawa State.

They resolved to support its expansion by providing additional hostel accommodation, water supply and other facilities to improve the admission capacity of the campus and make it more conducive for training.

The governors also resolved to work closely with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) by providing office space in each state, support the enrolment of Almajiri and out-of-school children into formal school, provision of vocational and technical education as well as develop a unified approach to addressing the menace in the sub-region.

Governors at the meeting included Inusa Yahaya (Gombe), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and deputy governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abdulkadir.

N/East Governors Bemoan Rising Terrorist Attacks, Task FG On Security is first published on The Whistler Newspaper