Prof. Olu Obafemi
By Seriki Adinoyi
The Federal Government of Nigeria has been urged to gather sufficient intelligence on the links between international terror groups and insurgents groups in Nigeria with a view to severing them.
It has also been urged to provide physical security against insurgent violence by enforcing laws, promoting human rights and public safety.
Eminent Persons and Expert Group on Complex Insurgencies in Nigeria, who took this position after a three-day meeting at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), further urged the Attorney General of the Federation “to prosecute without delay all suspected insurgencies members that are in detention” to prevent further extra-judicial killings.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Prof. Olu Obafemi the eminent persons also stressed the need to stem the tide of insurgencies in Nigeria to guarantee peace and stability, adding that security forces should be educated on the need to observe the rule of law in dealing with insurgencies.
They added that political leaders should provide good governance that will ensure justice, inclusiveness, address poverty and promote the electoral process. And that government at all levels should provide immediate humanitarian relief along with essential services to all victims of insurgencies as well as develop infrastructure and build capacity for legitimate income generating activities.
It advised government at all levels and the private sector should create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth and encourage entrepreneurship.
The meeting, had representatives of the President and the Vice President of Nigeria, former Heads of State, serving and retired military officers, former Inspectors General of Police, serving and retired Police Officers, delegations from National Defence College, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Abuja, National Defence Academy, Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, political parties, civil society groups, National Council for Women Societies, Traditional Rulers, the Clergy, and United States Embassy in attendance.