We vote for more resources to fight terror and banditry – FG

By Emmanuel Elebeke

The Federal Government yesterday said it is committed to tackling insecurity in the country through better investment in equipment, manpower and intelligence gathering.

Minister of Information and National Guidance, Mohammed Idris, stated this at the first international conference organized by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, under the theme: “Interrogating the root cause of violence in the Sahel and its impact on the territorial integrity of Nigeria .” in Abuja.

The conversation brought together experts, policymakers and stakeholders to assess and propose solutions to the challenges posed by violence in the Sahel region.

The minister acknowledged that the Sahel region has become a vortex of instability, violence, terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and violent extremism, with a spillover effect into Nigeria due to the country’s porous borders with the region.

“Nigeria shares a long and porous border with several Sahelian countries embroiled in conflict, making us vulnerable to the spillover effects of the conflict.

“This not only threatens our security, but also challenges our ability to maintain effective control of our borders.

“Several scholars and experts have previously attributed these challenges to socio-economic marginalization, weak governance structures, environmental degradation and climate change, transnational organized crime and illegal arms trafficking, among others.

“But the spillover effect of these conflicts is taking a toll on our economy, internal security and the socio-economic well-being of our people,” he said.

The minister noted that root causes of violence in the Sahel include socio-economic marginalization, weak governance structures, environmental challenges and organized crime. cooperation with international partners.

He said: “Violence in the Sahel is not an isolated problem, and no country can tackle it alone. Therefore, Nigeria has stepped up its engagement with its neighbors and other regional and international partners, is strengthening joint military operations such as the Multinational Joint Task Force, and is also supporting initiatives aimed at stabilizing the Sahel region.”

On the home front, the minister said: “Security has remained a top priority in President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, and through investment in equipment, manpower, acquisition of more combat platforms and intelligence gathering, we are winning the war against insecurity.

“To address these challenges, Idris said cooperation is needed among government agencies, international partners and security experts to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and contribute to lasting peace and stability in the Sahel region.

He urged experts at the conference to dissect the root causes of armed conflict in the Sahel, with a view to developing innovative solutions to address the challenges.

The first annual NAN lecture was attended by key national and international stakeholders including former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar as chairman of the occasion, and Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, as guest speaker.

President Bola Tinubu, who was the guest of honor at the event, was represented by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

Other dignitaries present included the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa; Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Umar Dikko Radda; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, and the Minister of Steel Development, Alhaji Shuaibu Abubakar.