Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday led the forum’s delegation on a solidarity visit to commiserate with their colleague Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and the people of Niger State over the rising cases of banditry in the State.
Governor Fayemi explained that their mission to Niger State was to commiserate with Niger Governor over the abduction of the Kagara students and to commend him for the release of the 53 NSTS passengers.
Fayemi speaking at the Government House Minna said collective efforts is required to end insurgency that is bedeviling the country.
He said “we all feel your pains, we feel the fears and the anxieties of the good people of Niger State. We must put all our heads together, put our efforts together, demonstrate resilience, reassure our people not to give up hope because ultimately we can defeat terrorism collectively not in isolation”.
Fayemi noted that there is need to explore other avenues side-by-side with the efforts of the security agents to combat the insecurity in the country.
He also called for synergy among security agencies to find lasting solutions to the problem, stressing that if it requires dialogue and negotiations, it can be explored.
The NGF Chairman insisted there is no regionalization of the security issues or ethnic inclination, explaining that Nigeria can no longer play the ostrich and pretend about the issues.
He reassured his Niger counterpart that this difficult period will be over, saying all the governors in the country must put their heads together to solve the problem, which according to him cannot be fought in isolation.
The Chairman of the NGF said as governors it is not time to lament as it is their responsibility to ensure the security and welfare of the people pointing out that there is the need to come together to proffer both short and long term solutions to end the menace.
He also stressed the need to explore other avenues side-by-side with whatever efforts the security agencies are making
“We may have to engage in dialogue to find the root causes of this social dislocation”.
Dr. Fayemi called for proper coordination among the security outfits, adding that the synergy is required for optimal result in ending the security challenges bedevilling the country.
He told the people of the state not to be despair as the entire NGF is with them and will not rest until the desired objective is achieved.
The NGF Chairman commended the measures taken by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello which resulted in the release of the 53 passengers that were abducted in the NSTA bus en route Minna.
Responding, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said the solidarity visit of his colleagues is a morale booster to him and the people of the State adding that time has come for the Federal Authority to do the needful in addressing the security challenges bedeviling the country as State Governors have limited powers especially when it comes to the control of the security apparatus in the country.
“Time has come for the Federal Authorities to key in and work with state governments so that we are able to provide adequate intelligence and find a lasting solution to this menace.
“We are State Governors but we all have our limitations when it comes to control of operations, we do not fully control the Army, Air Force or even the Police”.
Governor Sani Bello who re-iterated that he is fully in support of adopting kinetic and non kinetic approach to curb the menace, said there is also the need to dialogue with the gun men who are willing to, so as to know the root causes of their actions but that decisive actions should be taken on those who are unrepentant and unwilling to forgo their criminal activities.
“I agree we should dialogue, as bad as it seems, there is need to look at the root causes and see how we can address them but then, make no mistake, for those who have chosen the path of terrorism and do not show any sign of repentance, then the needful must be done.
The Governor said the state government is not resting on it oars in ensuring that it secure the release of the Government Science College Kagara abductees.
Other Governors that were part of the delegation are the Governors of Plateau, Simon Bako Lalong who is also the Chairman Northern Governors Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara, Abdullahi Sule of Nassarawa and that of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who doubles as the NGF Vice Chairman.
