Banditry: What we’re witnessing is terrorism – Governors

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has blamed terrorism for the high level of insecurity in the country.

Speaking on Tuesday when he visited Minna, Niger State, over the recent abductions, Fayemi, who is the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), said what Nigeria is witnessing, whether banditry or kidnapping, has no name other than terrorism.

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The governors held a meeting with Sani Bello, their Niger counterpart, and pledged to stand by him during “this difficult period”.

“At the level of the governors’ forum, we met last week and we came out with some specific ideas we have shared with the federal authority but for us, our visit is in commiseration, solidarity, and in identifying with you, the government, and the good people of Niger State.

“We want to reassure you that even this difficult time shall pass but we must put our heads together, put all our efforts together, demonstrate resilience and reassure our people not to give up hope because ultimately we can only defeat terrorism collectively, not in isolation.

“What we are witnessing is terrorism, there is no other name for it.

“We may call it banditry, kidnapping, these are the remnants of the actors in the North-East that have found themselves in other parts of the country.

“Whether they are known as ISWAP, Shekau faction, they are remnants of what we are still dealing with in that part of Nigeria.

“That is why we must not treat the North-East in isolation of this problem. We are all victims as long as any section of our country is ravaged by this problem.

“On behalf of all your brother governors, I want to assure our people in Niger State that we are all for Niger State.

“We shall not rest until we resolve the challenges we have here as we have in other states.”