President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday vowed that there would be more offensive military onslaught against terrorists, bandits, oil thieves and other criminals wreaking havoc in some parts of the country if they don’t quit their nefarious activities.
This is just as the former head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) pointed out that poverty and unemployment in the land as well as weak and failed institutions have created fertile ground for insecurity in the Sahel region.
Tinubu handed down this warning at Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, when he spoke during the maiden edition of Annual International Lecture organised by the News Agency of Nigeria, and was chaired by Gen. Abdulsalami.
The president’s warning came on the heels of consistent offensive military onslaught on terrorists and bandits in different hideouts in the Northwest region of the country which has led to the death of top terrorists’ commanders.
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The lecture, with the theme: “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges – Genesis, Impacts and Options”, also had the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris among other dignitaries in attendance.
Speaking during the lecture, Tinubu, who spoke through the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, said, “For 15 years we’ve been going through hell in this country. Bad people were doing what they liked. Enough is enough. It has to stop. It will stop.
“In the last one year, no fewer than 300 Boko Haram commanders have been eliminated while cases of kidnapping for ransom are on the decline. This is a warning to them. They have limited time. Examples have been set.
“They have seen what is happening to their own leaders, if they refuse to surrender, the same fate awaits them. The non-kinetic approach is still important. Our windows are open, our doors are open if you are ready to come and surrender and stop, otherwise you know what is going to happen to you.”
He stressed that Nigerian armed forces have made commendable progress in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other forms of violent crimes across the country, adding that the government was committed to returning the country on the path of stability through kinetic and non-kinetic approaches.
I’m not afraid to die – Wanted bandits’ kingpin, Turji
Earlier, wanted bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, dared the security forces, saying he is not afraid to be killed by the troops combing different hideouts of the terrorists.
Turji, who is among the 43 terrorists in the Northwest declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters, however, called for dialogue with the federal government to end violent crimes in Zamfara State in a five-minute and forty-second video. In the video, the terrorists’ kingpin confirmed the killing of his boss, Halilu Sububu, vowing that Sububu’s killing would not silence him.
According to him, he was willing to lay down his arms if the government would dialogue with him.
Abdulsalami lists weak governance, unemployment, poverty as factors responsible
Speaking earlier, Abdulsalami said factors that were responsible for insecurity in Africa are the undercurrents of poverty and unemployment, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, weak governance, and institutional failures, as well as climate change and environmental degradation
“Permit me to note, however, that at the heart of the insecurity in this region, among other factors, are the undercurrents of poverty and unemployment,the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, weak governance, and institutional failures, as well as climate change and environmental degradation.
“These factors have certainly created a fertile ground for insecurity to thrive, with devastating impacts on our dear nation. We must not, however, lose faith in our capacity to ride above the storms of insecurity, since this challenge is the business of each and every Nigerian, and indeed, all Africans.
“Not only must we work together to find solutions to our country’s security challenges, we indeed owe ourselves, our children, and the future generations the duty to create a safer and more prosperous nation. May peace reign in our region and the world at large.”
On his part, the Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, said the armed forces of Nigeria had done greatly in combating insecurity, adding that insecurity in Katsina has reduced by 60-70 percent due to the efforts of the military.
Radda, who called on citizens to key into the military efforts by playing key roles to end insecurity, called on his counterparts in the Northwest states to address root causes of banditry and terrorism particularly; poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.
AU chief, Bayero, CDS, others proffer solutions to insecurity in Africa
Similarly, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, said the Sahel region has in the last decade and a half become synonymous with instability, violence, and insecurity.
He said these range from the rise of insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP to the spread of violent extremism, human trafficking, and illegal arms proliferation.
According to him, while insecurity did not emerge in a vacuum, its roots can be traced to a combination of local and global factors, including poor governance, economic marginalization, climate change, ethnic tensions, and the spillover effects of conflicts in North Africa and the broader Middle East.
The Defence chief stressed that the collapse of the Libyan state in 2011 further unleashed an influx of weapons and fighters, which catalysed the rise of militant groups across the Sahel.
“Nigeria, as a critical player in the region, has borne a significant share of the fallout from this instability,” the top military echelon said.
The CDS, however, admitted that insurgency in the North East led by Boko Haram since 2009, has not only devastated communities but also stretched military resources, forced the displacement of millions, and undermined economic development.
He also noted that the porous nature of Nigeria’s borders with Sahelian countries has made it easier for transnational criminals, including smugglers, human traffickers, and arms dealers, to operate with impunity.
“Nigeria has demonstrated resilience and determination in confronting these challenges. I encourage all stakeholders including government, civil society, international partners,and the private sector to work collaboratively in addressing these challenges.
“Let us always remember that Nigeria’s security and that of the entire Sahel region depend on our ability to find lasting solutions that promote peace, stability, and prosperity for all,” Musa said.
On his part, Dr Mohamed IBN Chambas, the African Union Chief Mediator on Sudan, also aligned with Gen. Abdulsalami, while enumerating factors fueling insecurity in the Sahel region as weak governance and corruption.
He said the Sahel region is so vast that there are lots of ungoverned spaces in the zone, causing the increase in the insecurity rate, adding that the crisis in Libya, Sudan, Mali, among other factors that could be attributed to the challenge.
Chambas also said foreign interference and external forces had equally explored this for their own interest.
The AU Chief, who said the shrinking of Lake Chad Basin, particularly the Lake Chad, had caused more harm than good in the Sahel region, said focus should also be given to financing and supply networks of the terror groups.
“These (issues of financing and supply network) should be effectively cut off or addressed. We see them (terrorists) riding hundreds of thousands of motorbikes. How are they getting these and the fueling? These are what we should interrogate,” he said.
He said issues of weak regional cooperation had further taken a toll on the insecurity problem, stressing that to tackle the problem headlong, efforts should be made to alleviate poverty and inequality by countries in the region.
“The youths, who had most been mobilised by the terror groups, should be empowered through entrepreneurial training, among others. Regional cooperation and initiatives should be stepped up. Nigeria should cooperate with neighbouring countries to address the insecurity. This will ensure joint border protection,” he said.
Traditional institution critical player in Nigeria’s security architecture – Bayero
The 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, told the gathering that the traditional institution remains a critical player in Nigeria’s security architecture.
“That has changed over the years due to political interference, but traditional leaders still have a role to play in protecting their communities and the nation,” he said.
He explained that the structure of the traditional institution, which predates the colonial era, from the ward head, village head, district head and the emirate at the apex, provides a unique system for tackling insecurity at community level.
“It is a system that has been in existence since pre-colonial period, so we believe that if we revert back to that, the traditional leaders will still play a role in protecting our society.
“I want Nigerians to be aware that everyone has a role to play in securing the country, so let everyone play his own role. By the time each and every individual plays a role, I am sure things will get better gradually,” the Emir said.
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