THESHIELD Garkuwa
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SEVEN Northern Governors of Kebbi, Zamfara , Kano, Plateau, Benue, Bauchi and Katsina states yesterday stormed Sokoto to grace the formal graduation and POP event of the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps trainees as Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto said his administration remains resolute towards addressing insecurity occasioned by banditry, kidnapping and other sundry crimes fast threatening the peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the state.
He pointed out that the issue of security was fundamental and critical aspect of his government 9 point smart agenda.
Aliyu Sokoto who reviewed that parade mounted by the 2,596 guards at the Giginya Memorial Stadium , Sokoto said the initiative was informed by the serial concerns and security challenges being witnessed across the state as a result of banditry and kidnapping activities.
” The situation became so alarming and threatening with massive lost of lives and displacement of people from their homes.
” This took us to the level where we are today. The guards will complement the strategic role conventional forces by driving effective and efficient community policing through information gathering.
” We have provided 30 brand new Hilux vehicles and 800 motorcycles to support their operation inorder to restore peace especially in more affected areas”, he said .
He noted that the conventional security forces were over stretched by security challenges stressing that all hands must be on deck to collectively tackle the trend in the region.
In his key note address, Governor of Katsina State and Chairman Northwest Governor’s Forum, Umar Dikko Radda said governor’s of the region were committed to the course of tackling the menace of insecurity.
According to him, the issue of security , agriculture and economy were the focus of the governor’s in the region stressing that ” the issue of security has become a remarkable focus across the norther region.
” We will do everything humanly possible to restore peace in this part of the country.
” I will like to call on the FG and President Tinubu to support our initiatives. I am sure he is capable of doing that and he will”, Radda said.
In his remarks, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar noted that insecurity had caused gross under development , poverty and fight among citizens in the region.
” We should see the situation as a phenomenon which affects all and mist be tackled by all irrespective of differences.
” It is an issue that affects Nigerians. The traditional institution must support actions that will bring peace to our people and doing so,we must find out the genesis and analyse the kind of approach to ending it.
” We should broadly examine the use of kinetic or non kinetic approach. Not killing anyone unjustly”, the revered leader said.
Speaking as special guest of honour, a former NSA, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau rtd said concerted efforts must be made to eliminate all acts of banditry and terrorism he described as serious challenges to the development of the country.
He observed that the six geo-political zones were fast characterised by on form of crime or the other that had stagnated development , peace and unity.
” In the northeast we see terrorism, Northwest , banditry; North Central , farmers – herders clash; South east, Secessionists , South South, militancy and South West with sundry crimes”, he mentioned.
Meanwhile, former governors Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and Malam Yahaya Abdulkarim , serving and former deputy governors of the state Muhammed Idris Gobir, Mukhtari Shehu Shagari and Chuso Abdullahi Dattijo and former deputy governor of Zamfara state , Ibrahim Wakala added colour to the event that also attracted the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Muhammad Bello Goronyo and the immediate past Minister of Police Affairs Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi.
Also were the Speaker of the state assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga, National and state assembly lawmakers, Alhaji Umaru Kwabo A.A., Alhaji Abdulrahman Musa Bashar and Zayyanu Musa Bashar among other prominent personalities and stakeholders including heads of security agencies in the state amidts air combatant display by the NAF.
