B’Haram, Banditry, Kidnapping: Three-headed monster devouring the Northeast | Tellwell Newspaper
Tellwell Newspaper, Abuja – Nigeria:
Hopes for the return of security to the terror-troubled Northeast any time soon are diminishing as banditry and kidnapping have conspired with Boko Haram insurgency to worsen the 12-year insecurity across the region, Tellwell Newspaper can report.
The Governors of the six Northeast states under the aegis of the North-East Governors Forum (NEGF) converged on Gombe on Friday, September 16, to review the security situation and the humanitarian and economic crises ravaging the region.
Welcoming the Governors to the 7th meeting of the Forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State listed the lingering security issues to include Boko Haram insurgency and the resultant humanitarian crisis; and evolving security threats posed by criminal activities like banditry and kidnapping.
“Climate change disasters, especially the recent floods and their debilitating effects on the livelihoods of our people; staggering infrastructure deficit as well as the sorry state of human capital development in our subregion; and other contemporary issues of common concern also make this meeting particularly important,” Governor Yahaya said.
He observed that over the past two years, the Forum has developed the understanding, conviction, steadfastness, and cooperation needed to address the common problems undermining the growth and development of the Northeast.
“We have been able to collectively engage, mobilize and sensitize stakeholders at the highest level, both nationally and internationally.”
Governor Yahaya described the formation of the NEGF as a tremendous success, where for the first time in the history of the zone Governors of the region were able to forge a common front for the overall benefit of the people, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political considerations.
He observed that the presence of Governors in the 7th edition of the Forum symbolizes the growing strength of cooperation, collaboration and cordial relationship among the governors of the six Northeastern States.
“To borrow from Nigeria’s first national anthem: ‘though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand’. Our strength lies in the sheer determination of each and everyone of us to set aside primordial differences in order to pursue a common vision aimed at improving the lives and wellbeing of our people” he said.
Governor Yahaya recalled that the NEGF was formed following the first meeting of the Governors in Gombe on March 5, 2020.
“Since then, we have had subsequent meetings in Maiduguri, Yola, Bauchi, Jalingo and Damaturu. During each of those meetings, we engaged relevant stakeholders and deployed great energy and resources to brainstorm on common issues facing the region with a view to finding effective solutions,” he recalled.
“At the end of each meeting, we issued communiques with actionable items and plans that we are following up through the Forum’s Director-General who heads the NEGF secretariat, in order to ensure timely implementation,” he noted.
The Governor described the 7th meeting, which is the first in the second round, as special because it offered the Forum an opportunity to take stock of its achievements since its maiden meeting, as well as to reflect on the challenges and obstacles confronting it over the years.
He used the occasion to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for his untiring commitment and strong leadership towards the security and stability of the North-East and Nigeria at large.
Chairman of the North East Governors Forum and Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, said since the formation of the Forum, Governors of the region had painstakingly discussed issues of common interest which have so far led to the decimation of Boko Haram insurgency and other criminalities through shared intelligence.
He observed that the non-kinetic approach initiated and adopted by the Forum with support of the Federal Government to address the menace of Boko Haram insurgency had come a long way in opening up a corridor for many members of the sect to lay down their arms.
The NEGF chair said it was a matter of necessity for Governors of the region to maintain a strong and unwavering position towards addressing the menace of kidnapping that is fast becoming a new normal across the country.
He also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment and members of the Armed Forces for their relentless efforts towards ending insurgency in the Northeast and other crimes and criminalities across the country.
