Yusuf Bello| Following rising tension among ethnic nationalities in the country and escalation of violence in Oyo state between Fulani herders and resident Yorubas in Oyo state, a delegation of the federal government will meet with the seven north-west governors to “create a pathway to lasting peace and security” in the country.
The leader of the federal government delegation and national security adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno, who made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday, said the delegation will meet with the governors on Monday in Kaduna state.
According to him, the meeting with the seven north-west governors will encourage geo-political synchronisation of effort among states and also create a pathway to lasting peace and security.
Monguno said, he already met with service chiefs, heads of law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies to discuss the threats of kidnapping, terrorism, and other security perils threatening the lives and property of Nigerians.
According to him, the decision to strengthen inter-agency coordination and stakeholders’ engagement was reached at the meeting.
The NSA said, “As part of renewed commitment to make Nigeria safe and secure, the meeting resolved to strengthen interagency coordination, stakeholders’ engagement and consultation in order to find lasting solution to the multiple security threats.”
“Working with the Service Chiefs and Heads of Security and Intelligence Agencies, the National Security Adviser is coordinating a Whole-of -Government and Whole-of Society approach that cuts across the Legislature, Judiciary, Ministries and Departments, States and Local Governments and the Civil Society to ensure that every stakeholder plays a role in securing our towns and villages.”
“Consequently, the National Security Adviser will be leading a delegation of Heads of Federal Law Enforcement, Security and Intelligence Agencies to the Geo-Political Zones to hold Town Halls meeting with the State Governors, Traditional and Religious Leaders, members of the Legislature, Non-Governmental, Youth and Women Organisations,” he said.
“The meetings are expected to provide direct assessment of the security situation, generate local feedback and recommendations, encourage Geo-Political synchronisation of effort among States and to also create a pathway to lasting peace and security. The first of the Town Hall Meetings is scheduled to hold in Kaduna State on Monday, 15 February 2021 with all Seven Governors of the North-Western States.”
Nigeria in recent weeks, has witnessed rising tension involving farmers-herders in various parts of the country, ethnic clashes, banditry, and insurgency.
-Buhari pledges to protect all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday pledged that his government will not allow any ethnic or religious group to stoke up hatred and violence against other groups.
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu who made the disclosure in a statement titled “President Buhari condemns reported cases of ethnic violence in the country,” said the president will protect all religious and ethnic groups whether majority or minority.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his government will protect all religious and ethnic groups, whether majority or minority in line with its responsibility under the constitution, the statement read.
“In a reaction to reports of breakout of violence in some parts of the country by some ethnic and sectional groups, President Buhari warned that the government will not allow any ethnic or religious group to stoke up hatred and violence against other groups.
“The President condemned such violence and gave assurance that his government will act decisively to stop the spread of any such violence.
“He appealed to religious and traditional leaders as well governors and other elected leaders across the country to join hands with the Federal Government to ensure that communities in their domain are not splintered along ethnic and other primordial lines.”
The statement came at a time of reported case of ethnic violence in Shasa, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and rising tension across the country.
Leave a Reply