President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured Nigerians that his administration would do everything possible to ensure the security of citizens in the country.
The National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj, -Gen. Babagana Monguno, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj.-Gen Lucky Irabor, gave the assurance on behalf of the President in Kaduna at a town hall meeting of security chiefs, state Governors and major stakeholders in the North western part of the country on the protracted insecurity in the zone.
This corroborated the earlier submission of the Governors of North-West Zone who pledged to explore all available means to ensure the security of lives and property.
The meeting was attended by all the governors in the zone, traditional rulers, security experts and other key stakeholders.
Monguno said the meeting was aimed at addressing the security concerns bedevilling the area and other parts of the country.
The NSA said similar meeting would hold in other zones in the bid to find comprehensive solutions to the security challenges.
He stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari was worried about the persistent insecurity and emerging threats accompanied by loss of lives all over the country.
“What is happening in the North East and North West is worrisome and the president is committed to bringing it to an end,” Monguno said.
He added that security, even though the core responsibility of government, requires the support of Nigerians at all levels in the society to bring about a better and safer country.
“The nature of insecurity in the 21st century is different from what we knew in the earlier centuries, this is why we need a multifaceted approach in dealing with emerging threats and insecurity in the country.
“I don’t want to believe that we are unable to bring to an end the insecurity in the country, but perhaps we do not have the whim to do that as a people.
“But I am reassuring you that with the arrival of the new service chiefs and other security heads, government is redoubling its efforts.
“Government is just one arm of the issues; that is why we decided to have an all-encompassing approach, including the whole society in bringing to an end the problems of insecurity bedevilling the country.”
Earlier, the CDS, Irabor, said that government and the service chiefs were committed to bringing about lasting peace in the area and the country in general.
“We are assuring you that we are not resting on our oars, some reorganisations are on the table to change the tide of insecurity in the North West and the country at large,” Irabor said.
He noted that some reports on insecurity being circulated in both the traditional and online media were false, thereby aggravating the situation.
“We are reassuring you that the Federal Government inithe leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is not relenting on insecurity and the NSA, service chiefs and other heads of security agencies are working hard to bring to an end the menace”, Irabor said.
Earlier, Governors of the North-West Zone had pledged to explore all available means to ensure the security of lives and property.
Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State made the commitment in Kaduna at a town hall meeting organised by the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
Masari, who spoke on behalf of the Governors, noted that the security situation in the region has deteriorated; pointing out that the Governors must work to ensure peace and stability.
“It is our responsibility to ensure everyone is safe,” he said, adding that communities should be adequately involved in ensuring security.
“Everybody must be on the same page. We must go back to our communities, build community relationships and restore what was lost. Ten years ago, the situation was not as bad as it is today, now communal life has broken down,’’ he said.
Masari, however, urged all Governors in the country to take responsibility of protecting everyone, “irrespective of where they come from, ethnicity or religion”.
In his remarks, Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong, who is also the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum, urged Nigerians to learn to live in peace, irrespective of religious and ethnic differences.
“Today, on behalf of Northern Governors, I welcome the new service chiefs while commending those who did their best and also prayed to see the end of the insecurity in Nigeria,” he said.
On his part, Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, noted that the high level delegation at the meeting underscored the importance with which the Federal Government attached to finding solutions to security challenges in the country.
He expressed the hope that the meeting will come up with a road map to end the security challenges in the country, which has affected the economy and livelihood of the people.
El-Rufai expressed concern over recent clashes in the South-West, which have raised tension and agitations.
“All of us the governors are going round, talking with stakeholders to calm people down,” he said.
He noted that security should be the number one priority of government and a collective responsibility of all.
