Deforestation, climate change aiding insecurity – IGP

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, says there is a strong connection between climate change and the internal security.

Baba said this in Abuja Tuesday while flagging-off a national tree planting initiative themed ‘One-Nigerian-One-Tree’.

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He said desertification, deforestation and climate change were major drivers of poverty, crimes and insecurity going on in the country.

He said: “Aside its negative impact on the environment, deforestation is at the root of some of the security challenges being faced by our country and the West African sub-region, particularly, in relation to the current challenges of banditry and herders/farmers violence

He said: “Even more worrisome is the fact that the annual rate of deforestation in Nigeria is approximately three hundred and fifty thousand to four hundred thousand hectares per year.

“The implication of this is that if nothing is done, security threats caused by climate change will become increasingly broadened and complex.”