President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Northern leaders have vowed to address the insecurity plaguing the region and other parts of Nigeria. This commitment was made during the North West Peace and Security Summit themed “Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods in North West Nigeria.”
Opening the summit, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, declared that his administration is determined to eradicate banditry, terrorism, and other security challenges. He noted that the strategies currently employed by security forces are beginning to yield positive results.
The two-day summit, held at the Government House in Katsina State, was organized by the North West Governor’s Forum in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Tinubu emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, stating, “We have reached a turning point where our strategies are starting to provide redemption. We will not relent until we achieve our goal.”
In his address titled “Securing Stability: Uniting for Peace in North-West Nigeria,” Vice President Shettima highlighted the deep-rooted unity in Northern Nigeria and the need for collective action against insecurity. He underscored that national security is not a sectional issue and that any threat to one part of Nigeria destabilizes the entire country.
To address the root causes of banditry, President Tinubu approved N51 billion for a new offensive against bandits and terrorists. He noted that achieving security requires addressing historical injustices, institutional weaknesses, and economic dysfunctions that contribute to crime.
One of the non-kinetic interventions mentioned by Tinubu is the Pulaku resettlement initiative, aimed at addressing the root causes of disputes and insecurity in the North-West. This initiative includes building residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities in strategically chosen states like Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna.
Governor Umaru Radda of Katsina State, in his welcome address, lamented the impact of banditry on the region and stressed the need for a multifaceted approach, including robust intelligence gathering, community policing, and advanced security technology. He announced a N10 billion grant to support local industries and create jobs for unemployed youths.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, highlighted the Armed Forces’ commitment to ending armed conflicts and emphasized the need for collaboration between security agencies and state governors.
Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, assured the government of traditional rulers’ support in tackling security challenges and called on citizens to cooperate with security agencies.
German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annett Günther, and UNDP Country Representative, Elsie Attafuah, both expressed their support for Nigeria’s fight against insecurity. Günther emphasized traditional solutions, while Attafuah called for investment in youth and regional cooperation.
The summit was attended by notable figures including former President Muhammadu Buhari, governors from the North-West region, federal lawmakers, former governors of Katsina State, security chiefs, traditional rulers, and members of the diplomatic corps.
