The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has raised the alarm over the growing rate of insecurity in the region.
NSGF observed that the region is now saddled with cases of kidnapping, cattle rustling and killing of innocent people by bandits.
The forum, which met for the first time since the last general elections, also condemned the bomb blast at the IDP camp in Adamawa state, which left eight people dead, while 16 others sustained injuries.
In a communique read by the chairman of the forum, Kashim Shettima of Borno state, the governors expressed concern over the growing insecurity and resolved to collaborate towards tackling the menace.
The forum identified unemployment, drug abuse, arms proliferation, poverty, inciting preaching, boundary disputes, communal clashes and the almajiri phenomenon as the causes of insecurity in the region and resolved to take proactive measures to address the problems. It also resolved to set up a committee of Attorneys General of Northern states to look into the criminal justice system so as to prefer punishment to crimes such as cattle rustling, kidnapping, rape and domestic violence.
The governors commended the Federal Government for the successes recorded against the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.
The communiqué further commended the security agencies for the continuous onslaught on the terrorists and called on the federal government to recruit more security personnel to cope with the security challenges facing the country.
Credit: Tribune (Nigeria)
