Insecurity; Niger Emirate convene security summit to address security challenges – Says enough is enough
From Our Correspondent
Worried by the recent escalation in bandits attacks on some communities across Kontagora Emirate Council in Niger state, critical stakeholders from the Emirate Council have agreed to convene an emergency security summit with a view to come up with a workable solution towards addressing the growing level security challenge in the area.
All the local government areas within the Emirate Council, comprising Kontagora, Mariga, Magama, Rijau, Wushishi and Mashegun are bedeviled with frequent attacks from gunmen suspected to be Herdsmen, and this has made lives miserable for the people, particularly farmers who have been forced to abandon their farms and homes.
Worst hit are communities in Mariga local government area where the armed bandits recent lunched attacks on two Military Camps at Gulbin Boka and Kwanan Dutse, killing about 20 soldiers, and injuring scores. Some members of these communities were caught in the cross fire while a number of the bandits were also neutralized during the encounter.
The convener of the summit tagged; First Kontagora Emirate Security Engagement and Town Hall Meeting, Speaker of the state house of assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulamlik Sarkindaji said in a statement in Minna on Wednesday that the need for the security summit had become necessary since all the conventional approach towards addressing the security challenges within the Emirate is not yielding the desire results.
He pointed out that while the security agents battle to curtail the onslaught by “these enemies of the people”, the situation has escalated in recent times, leading to the killing of promising Nigerian Soldiers and innocent villagers stressing that “this cannot continue, as a people we must come together to agree on the way forward, these criminals are not magicians, they are human beings like us.
“This situation must be confronted so that our people, especially farms can enjoy some level of peace. The esteemed sons and daughters of Kontagora Emirate, cannot fold their hands and allow these animals, disguising as human beings kill our people, our security agents and make lives meaningless for the entire population”, he added.
Sarkindaji maintained that the Security Engagement and Town Hall Meeting, is therefore aimed at collectively addressing the pressing issue of insecurity in the Emirate, adding that “As this challenge affects us all, your presence and contributions are crucial in finding lasting solutions”, the statement further added.
The speaker disclosed that the summit which is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 5th at the Emir of Kontagora Plalce, will have in attendance, all former and Present Senators, all former and Present House of Representatives members, all Present State House of Assembly Member, Present Commissioners, Present Local Government Council Chairmen, Present Director Generals and Special Advisers.
Others he disclosed, includes, all retired Military Officers from the rank of Lieutenant, all DIGs and AIGs of Police, all Former and Present Commissioners of Police, all Present Councilors and other top dignitaries who are sons and daughters from the Emirate.
He added further that “the meeting will serve as a platform for us to come together, share insights and collaborate on strategies to adopt in order to combat the security challenges and ensure the safety and well-being of our communities”.
While acknowledging the efforts of the state government towards addressing the challenge with a number of strategies adopted by the governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago in the last two years, he maintained that the issues of security is a collective responsibility, hence the need for every hands to be on deck.
