Representatives from the Nigeria Army, DSS, Immigration Service, Police, NDLEA, NOA, JNI, CAN, Community Relations Committee, Civil Society Organisations, and the media gathered in Gombe at the weekend for a one-day roundtable engagement to address the alarming rate of insecurity in Nigeria.
The event, convened by the Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), brought together stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the menace.
The meeting highlighted the worrisome statistics of incessant killings, kidnappings, and violence across the country, with a call to action for the government to demonstrate political will and leadership to address the issue. The surge in atrocities against vulnerable groups, including women, children, and people with disabilities, was also condemned.
The stakeholders resolved to work together to restore peace and stability in the country, with recommendations including community participation in providing information to security operatives, reactivation of traditional institutions, reintroduction of educational marshals in schools, and engagement of youth in skills development.
Religious leaders were urged to preach peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding, while social media operators were cautioned against posting unverified information that may trigger friction between communities.
The conventional media was acknowledged as a key player in sensitizing the public on the importance of peaceful coexistence.
The meeting emphasized the need for collective efforts to tackle insecurity and promote peaceful coexistence among communities, regardless of ethnic, cultural, political, and religious differences. The stakeholders vowed to work together to bring lasting peace to Nigeria.
