Abdulsalami, Ex-military Chiefs Meet Over Insecurity In North

A coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has announced the convening of a two-day roundtable on the insecurity bedeviling the region which will be chaired by former Nigerian head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

General Abdulsalami Abubakar will be joined in the discussion by northern states governors, heads of security agencies, academics, policymakers, security experts, justices and judicial officers, traditional rulers, clerics, and other critical stakeholders.

Members of the sub-committee on security matters include: Maj Gen (rtd) SarkinYaki Bello, chairman; ADG (rtd.) Ibrahim Ahmad Katsina,  Vice Chairman; Brig Gen (rtd.) Abubakar Hanafi Saad; CG (rtd.) Abdullahi Gana Muhammed; AVM (rtd.), Monday Riku Morgan; Alhaji Salisu Muhammad, member CG (rtd.), Muhammed Babandede; Hadi U. Sudawa DIS (rtd.); Hassan A. Zungeru, State Commander, Narcotics; Col. (Rtd). Okojokwu Kennedy Ogbole; ACG (rtd) Bashir Abubakar, Cdre (rtd) David D. Nabaida; AIG (rtd) Paul Yakadi; CP (retd) Hassan Zakari Biu; Engr. Agaba Ikwue; and Dr. Aminu Idris, Secretary.

Announcing the event in a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, national coordinator, CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi said for the past two decades, Northern Nigeria has been grappling with a series of security challenges that have inflicted immense suffering on its people.

He noted that the region has become a breeding ground for insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and various other criminal activities, adding that the lack of political will and capacity to effectively contain these challenges has created a vacuum, leaving thousands dead, countless displaced, and numerous communities destroyed.

Recognising the urgent need for a change in approach, he said the Coalition of Northern Groups took a bold and necessary step by assembling a committee of security experts to brainstorm on the challenge,, he said this committee, which has been working for the past three months, examined the inadequate response to the security crisis, highlighting the absence of synergy among security agencies, the lack of cooperation between the states and federal government, and the neglect of public involvement in combating these issues.

He said the roundtable will bring together frontline Northern states governors, national security chiefs, heads of security agencies, academics, policymakers, security experts, justices and judicial officers, traditional  rulers, clerics, and other critical stakeholders.

“The aim is to develop strategies for collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities, as well as the involvement of the general public. The outcome of the roundtable will be a module to democratize the security project by engaging individuals and communities, as well as various stakeholders, to take ownership of the security efforts in the region,” he said.