KADUNA- Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, on Tuesday said the security challenges in the North West require holistic approach in order to address the many drivers of conflict in the region.
The governor spoke in Kaduna during a high level town hall meeting on `Promoting Peace and Security in North West’, organised by Kukah Centre in Collaboration with UK Aid and Global Rights.
Sani who was represented by Mr Samuel Aruwan, said that the region has so many conflict drivers, which include banditry, terrorism, ethnic and religious crisis, and farmers-herders conflict, among others.
“Our conversations here is very important, because both famers-herders conflict and banditry are all threats to food security and education which led to close down of many schools for fear of attack by terrorists.
“The issues of insecurity are also threats to rural economy, primary health care,” he added.
The governor said the frontline states including Niger have been conversing, making efforts and collaborating towards mitigating the menace.
He restated the commitment of the governors in the region to finding solutions to the challenges, saying in Kaduna state, the government would sustain ongoing kinetic and non-kinetic responses.
“If you could look critically along Abuja-Kaduna highway, for over a year now there is no record of insecurity. We have intensified Operation Whirl Punch on ground and in the air along the corridor,” he added.
Earlier, the Executive Director of Kukah Center, Fr. Atta Barkindo expressed concern that the region, which comprises seven states with a population of close to 50 million people, has for about a decade now witnessed increasing violence.
“Thousands of people killed and displaced, with many fleeing into neighbouring areas. The greatest impact has been on women, girls and children,” he added.
According to him, to mitigate insecurity, government must reduce tension between herders and farmers, implement the national livestock plan, promote dialogue, stop criminal gangs, illegal mining and corporate stealing.
Barkindo added that it was also imperative to address the challenges of education in the region.
He called for inclusion of more women in decision making, saying though women suffer most during violence, “yet, when it comes to designing solutions, they are excluded and marginalised.
“Secondly, they are always presented as victims to be pitied, supported and helped”.
Mr Idris Adah, the Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kaduna state, said safety and wellbeing of citizens were crucial to peaceful coexistence.
“Peace and security are not mere words, they are the foundation upon which prosperous societies are built, our efforts must be steadfast and unwavering, driven by the understanding that peace is not a passive state but an active pursuit.
” It requires the commitment of every citizen, every organization, and every institution.
“We, in the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, have taken up this responsibility with dedication and fervor,” he added.
According to him, the command has remained committed to protecting communities from threats, ensuring every child can go to school without fear, farmers tend their fields and businesses flourish.
Adah said the town hall meeting was a reaffirmation of the unity and commitment needed to building a brighter and secure future in the region. (NAN)
