•G-7 states parley over insecurity in FCT, neighbouring states
Olawale Ajimotokan and Juliet Akoje in Abuja
The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to initiate a coordinated joint security operation by providing aerial surveillance and other combat mission plans to flush out bandits, destroy their camps, and allow farmers to return to their farmlands to ensure continuous food production and sustain community peace and prosperity in the country.
This came as the Technical Committee of G-7 states, comprising FCT and neighbouring Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau States, yesterday, in Abuja, discussed strategies to tackle banditry, herders-farmers’ clashes and other cross-border security challenges.
However, the lawmakers have also resolved to engage Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director General, the Department of State Services over alleged complacency of security agencies in addressing the cases of banditry in the country with a view to putting an end to the menace.
This followed the adoption of amendments to a motion on the need to address incessant banditry activities in villages in Dustin-Ma Federal constituency sponsored by Hon. Aminu Babale, member representing Dustin-Ma/Kurfi Federal Constituency of Katsina State at plenary on Wednesday.
Babale while moving the motion said on June 12, 2023, the Communities of Tashar Yaro, Koza, Kudewa Villages, Geza, Sauyawa, Tamawa, and Maileda within Kurfi and Dutsinma Local Government Areas of Katsina State were attacked by bandits, and resulted in the injury and death of scores of innocent villagers.
“The incessant banditry activities in Kurfi, Dutsinma and other neighbouring Communities in Safana and Batsari Local Government areas have led to regular imposition of taxes on farmers before allowing them to access their farmlands, the failure of which puts them at a risk of losing their livestock to rustlers as well as having their shops burgled by daredevil kidnappers in search of foodstuff,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed concern that the incessant attacks by the bandits have led to low farming productivity, thus aggravating the existing food insecurity in the affected communities and also concerned that majority of the youth in the affected areas could end up with little or no income, thus worsening youth restiveness.
“Worried that as another farming season has started, bandits are threatening farmers in the area to pay imposed taxes or risk being kidnapped for huge ransoms. The 9th National Assembly passed several resolutions on similar motions and communicated same to all security agencies, however, little or no positive results were achieved from the decisions taken then.
“Cognizant that stringent security measures need to be taken to safeguard the lives and properties of the people as provided in Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 14 (2) (b) which clearly states, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Technical Committee of G-7 states, also comprised the commissioners of police, state directors of the Department of State Security Services, and commandants of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Security, FCT Administration, Mr Olusade Adesola, noted that the G-7 provided an opportunity for intelligence gathering, sharing and joint-border operations
The permanent secretary, who was represented by the acting Secretary, the Agric and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, Mr Ishaq Sadeeq, said the goal was to address criminality and security challenges bedevilling the seven-member states.
He said the G-7 states technical committee meeting was convened to tackle the recent upsurge of criminal elements traversing the FCT and member states, adding that they would periodically hold joint meetings to appraise the prevailing security challenges and articulate an agenda of action for implementation.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Mr Haruna Garba, said the G-7 was initiated in 2007 by the then Minister of the FCT, Dr Modibbo Umar to address issues of crime and criminality that was plaguing the FCT and its contiguous states.
“The idea was for the states to pull their resources both man and materials, together to fight the criminals simultaneously,” he said adding the G7 platform provided a unique opportunity to reinforce collective efforts and chart a way forward for better results.
