Progress recorded in security, underreported – Lai Mohammed

0
93

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the
progress recorded in combating banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping,
especially in the North West zone, is under-reported.

The minister stated this on Tuesday at a special Town Hall Meeting on
Security (Banditry, Cattle Rustling and Kidnapping) organised by the ministry
in Katsina.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event was attended by the
governors of Katsina, Sokoto and  Zamfara, namely Aminu Masari, Aminu
Tambuwal and Bello Matawalle as well as Ministers of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and Defence, Bashir Magashi.

“Here in the North-west, the security challenges – Banditry, Cattle Rustling
and Kidnapping – have been unique and daunting.

“The deadly attacks that claimed lives and destroyed property were daily
making headline news all over the country.

“At a stage, the situation became so bad in some of the states in the North-
west that many felt they were intractable.

“But thanks to the unrelenting efforts of the Federal government, as well as
the determination and innovative efforts of the governments of the affected
states, there has been a remarkable improvement and peace and security are
gradually returning to the worst-hit states.

“Unfortunately, the progress that has been made in combating banditry, cattle
rustling and kidnapping, has not made the kind of headlines that the security
challenges were making at their peak”, Mohammed observed.

The minister reiterated that the cardinal programmes of the Buhari
Administration, was to tackle insecurity across the country, and that the
government had faced the challenges posed by it with grit and determination.

He said the federal government was unrelenting in tackling the challenges
because without peace and security, there could be no development.
.
Mohammed said that the town hall meeting was, therefore, imperative for the
Federal Government, working with the affected states, to provide a platform
for the governors of the front-line states to highlight the successes they had
achieved in their various states.

He said the Ministers would also highlight the efforts that had helped to
drastically reduce the level of insecurity in the North West.

Mohammed recalled that town hall meeting was launched in Lagos on April 25
2016, to provide a platform for the Federal Government to regularly give
account of its stewardship to the people and get a feedback from them.

He said the 16th edition being held in Katsina, was unique, being the first timethat they were having Governors from the APC and the PDP as panelists.
NAN reports that the three governors acknowledged that security situation in
their respective states had improved owing to the supports from the Federal
Government, innovative approaches introduced and cooperation of
stakeholders.
The governors recommended more funding for security agencies, more
collaborations among states, deployment of modern technology, recruitment
of more military personnel and policemen, value reorientation and job
opportunities for youths to end the scourge.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here