President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to eradicating banditry, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria.
President Tinubu stated that Nigeria is at a turning point, with current security strategies and rules of engagement already showing positive results.
In a speech read on his behalf by his Vice President Kashim Shettima at the North West Peace and Security Summit in Katsina State on Monday, the President declared that his government would not relent until the country is completely secure.
He emphasized that the nation is witnessing “an explosion of damaged relationships,” and highlighted the government’s decision to task leaders from the North-West and North-East with the region’s defense and security.
The two-day summit, themed “Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods in North West Nigeria,” was organized by the North West Governor’s Forum in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The President outlined the summit’s objectives, which include finding solutions to insecurity and ensuring a region where “every trade is safe, every group is at peace, and where the policing and military presence of the state is optimal.” He also mentioned the Pulaku resettlement initiative as a non-kinetic intervention aimed at addressing root causes of disputes in the North-West.
Governor Umaru Radda of Katsina State, who chairs the North West Governors’ Forum, expressed concern over the impact of banditry on communities in the region, including Niger State. He affirmed the forum’s determination to combat the menace and prevent it from further destabilizing the area.
The summit underscores the federal government’s commitment to collaborative efforts in addressing security challenges, particularly in northern Nigeria. As the nation grapples with ongoing security issues, President Tinubu’s administration appears focused on both military and non-military approaches to restore peace and stability across the country.
