The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Security challenges

  • Tackling security challenges in Rivers State

    Tackling security challenges in Rivers State

    THE primary purpose of government all over the world is to secure lives and property and provide the good things of life.

    The Nigerian constitution describes it as the provision of security and welfare of the people.

    Right from the days of ancient philosophers like Aristotle, Plato to great modern thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke down to the contemporary of John Stuart Mill, John Dewey, Harold Laski among others were unanimous as a matter of imperative that the protection of human lives and property remain the cardinal objective of the purpose of the state.

    This underscores the reason making security of lives and property the fundamental barometer in measuring the performance index of any government. It is in line with this spirit that serious minded governments do not hesitate towards investing huge resources ensuring citizens enjoy maximum peace and security with their two eyes closed without any nightmare by men of the underworld.

    In recent times, Nigeria has been bedeviled by one security challenge or the other.

    From the North to the South, Nigerians have been griped with the fear of insecurity; ranging from activities of Boko Haram, heinous robbery, kidnapping, fratricidal communal inspired programs to mindless killings by acts of terrorism.

    These activities have taken an unquantifiable toll on the nation’s economy with thousands of lives and property wasted for no reasons.

    In Rivers State, the recent killing of about 17 innocent men and women who were massacred in their cold blood on the crossover night of 2018, while returning from their spiritual duty to God was a sad one and one death too many.

    Viewing Governor Nyesome Wike on the Television who betrayed his emotions with tears in his eyes streaming down; one could not hold back the tears of empathy.

    Governor Wike’s sense of humanity was obvious as he did not waste time to place a ransome of N200 million.

    While contending with the theatre of killings in Omoku, the news of massacre by suspected herdsmen in Benue state was broken where many homes were wiped out.

    In Benue State, politicizing the issue of security was out of the question as the people rally round Governor Orthom to seek solution rather than accusing him as the mastermind of the problem.

    In Rivers State, it is unfortunate and sad to mention that the narratives took a different twist as Governor Nyesome Wike and his ruling party became the focal point of accusation over the killings at Omoku.

    The social media was awashed with reports of accusation without any single proof of evidence.

    This is a sore moment in the history of Nigeria. No same person no matter the political affiliation should ever imagine or contemplate on making a political capital out of a security to malign an elected government charged with the solemn responsibility to protect lives and property.

    We thank God governor Wike refused to be distracted by such petty allegations which is borne out of scoring cheap and mischievous political agenda.

    Governor Nyesome Wike promised the people of Rivers State that he would leave no stone unturned to work closely with the security agents in bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book by providing necessary logistics as chief security officer of the state.

    Reassuring as the promise was, barely a week later, the kingpin and mastermind of the New Year killing at Omoku Mr. Don Wanney was tracked down and killed in Enugu State.

    As swiftly as the result was in tracking down Don Wanney, lips of critics of the Wike administration were completely sealed up.

    The political will shown by governor Wike is a clear demonstration that he is fully committed to the security of lives and property of the Rivers people.

    This is where those who are fanning the embers of disaffection in Rivers State by resorting to such wild allegations against Mr. Wike should have a rethink and tender unreserved apology to the people of Rivers State.

    The issue of security all over the world is a national concern regardless of the individual or group political leaning. It was ridiculous for an individual or group of persons to reduce it to politics.

    When people embark on demarketing Rivers State, Port-Harcourt the capital known as the “Garden City” will ultimately be the loser as investments flowing into the state to provide employment opportunities may be moved to peaceful states.

    Therefore, it was a sheer act of wickedness and politics of bitterness to link Mr. Wike to the atrocities committed by certified gang of criminals.

    Governor Wike is not only trying his best to complete abandoned projects or projects he inherited from his predecessors but has also turned Rivers State to a huge construction site.

    A trip to parts of Rivers State will convince anyone that cares to visit that the governor deserves the appellation, “MR PROJECT” where life transforming projects like massive road constructions to link up rural communities are dotted all over the landscape of the state, much less of owing of workers.

    Not minding the political affiliation, APC governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State made a glowing commendation to Governor Nyesome Wike during a visit to the state. This was followed by another visit by the Minister of Sports and Chieftain of APC Mr. Solomon Dalung, who flung party difference aside and commended MR PROJECT for changing the development narratives in Rivers State.

    This underscores the fact that the Security and pace of development in Rivers State can only be sustained in an atmosphere of unity of purpose, devoid of political mischief and unnecessary rancour.

    Only last year, as part of strategy in tackling the security concern in Rivers state, the Wike administration designed an action-packed programme of amnesty for repentant cultists.

    The programme which revolved around the carrot and stick approach was deliberately put in place towards nipping the problem of violence enrime in the bud.

    This is where all men and women of Rivers state including Multinational companies operating in the state should as a matter of imperative rally round the governor in the drive to provide peace and security for the overall sustainable development of Rivers State and Nigeria in general.

    The recent report that oil companies are fueling security crisis in Rivers State is a sad commentary and a huge setback for Rivers people, while they are yet to recover from the shameful and heartless divide and rule role some of these multinational companies played in the Niger Delta leading to the judicial murder of the foremost environmentalist, Mr. Ken Saro-Wiwa.

    The direct allegation made by the chief security officer and governor of Rivers State about the complicity of oil companies a weighty one that cannot just be swept under the carpet, given the antecedents of these oil companies in the Deltaic region.

    This is counterproductive to the campaign agenda of president Buhari on the fight against insecurity in the country.

    What the time demands is for Rivers men and women, youths, clergy men and women, to close rank and come together to confront the common monster that wants to turn back the ticking clock of development in the state.

    They can do this by working hand-in-hand with the security agencies by intensifying efforts in intelligence gathering and report any sinister activities that tend to undermine peace and security in the state. They should appreciate the fact that the business of maintaining peace and security is a collective responsibility and not governor Wike alone.

    Hence, they must shun destructive allegations and blackmail which are ill-wind that will do no one any good towards the building of a united, secured, peaceful and prosperous Rivers State.

    On the part of Governor Nyesome Wike, he should remain accommodative with the spirit of equanimity in the drive to take Rivers State to the next level.

    The security, peace and development of Rivers State should be seen by all as a collective task that must be done.

    • Okah write from Port Harcourt
  • Nigeria can do better in tackling security challenges – Saraki

    Nigeria can do better in tackling security challenges – Saraki

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday, said that he is convinced beyond all reasonable doubt that country can do far better to address security challenges facing it.

    Although Saraki acknowledged that the current administration has done well in its efforts to address the security challenges in parts of the country, he noted that it is obvious that the country can still do better.

    The Senate President spoke while inaugurating the ad-hoc committee charged with the duty to review the current security infrastructure of the country in the face of rising incidences of security breaches.

    The Senator Ahmed Lawan led committee is to work in consultation with security agencies.

    Saraki said that funding challenges inhibiting the operation of security agencies would be addressed in the 2018 budget.

    He lamented that the recent attacks in Adamawa and Zamfara States where dozens of lives and property were lost, are unacceptable incidences too many.

    He insisted that as far as Nigerians are still losing their lives and property through unwarranted attacks, there is still work to do.

    The committee, Saraki said, should work to provide answers to critical questions and issues which include the clamour for state police, technology, funding, collaboration among security agencies, role of traditional and community leaders, among others.

    He believed that the ad-hoc committee provides an opportunity for security agents who know what can be done differently, but are hampered by the system to speak up and proffer workable solutions.

    Chairman of the committee and Senate Leader Lawan, in his opening remarks noted that the Muhammadu Buharied administration is committed to fixing the security challenges which it inherited.

    He commended the armed forces for their hard work, gallantry and patriotism in the fight against Boko Haram.

    Lawan said, “The administration has shown commitment and determination to stamp out the various security challenges it inherited.

    “There are still security breaches in different parts of the country that occur from time to time. This has assumed a worrisome dimension. Nigerians are killed and properties are lost. There are still security breaches in parts of the country which has assumed worrisome dimension.

    “The spate of suicide bombings, kidnapping are all issues that should be addressed. This committee has been saddled with the responsibility of finding improved security infrastructure that will assist the country to address its security challenges.”

    Apart from Lawan, other members of the committee include Senators Abdullahi Yahaya, Joshua Lidani, Abubakar Kyari, Biodun Olujimi, Rose Oko, Mohammed Sabo, Baba Kaka Garbai.

    Read Also: Nigeria needs courageous leadership now, says Saraki

  • Sultan attributes security challenges to injustice

    Sultan attributes security challenges to injustice

    Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar yesterday attributed security challenges facing the country to injustice.
    He conceded that frictions exist among Christians, Muslims and various ethnic groups.
    The Sultan spoke in Ilorin at a two-day international conference on “Security and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria”, organised by the state government.
    The monarch said: “We have problems in this country. There are frictions between Muslims and non-Muslims and various ethnic groups across the country. Few days ago, we were in Kaduna to talk to the governor on the Southern Kaduna crisis. We cannot continue hiding under religion to foment trouble and this country will move forward. We are being dragged back by evil people and they are either Christians or Muslims.
    “The main foundation of the problem of insecurity in Nigeria is injustice. And injustice breeds bad governance. Bad governance allows people to do whatever they want and go scot-free.
    “There must be justice in whatever we do. Whoever offends anybody should be brought to book. We call on our leaders to have a model and send to religious leaders on how to implement them. Let us stop inciting remarks at various places. Please, let us work towards finding solution to the problems of insecurity in Nigeria.
    “We have been working hard to see how we can stop the menace of herdsmen. I don’t want to say Fulani herdsmen. They could be any other thing. How could Fulani, who move with their cows and family come to a village, kill people, destroy everything there and disappear into thin air like spirit? What are our security men doing? Where are our intelligence gathering mechanisms to know where these people come from to know who they are?”
    The Sultan said he accepted to attend the programme because of “the very serious insecurity issues affecting our country”.
    “There is no state in this country that is not facing one crisis or the other. Therefore, for Kwara State government to organise this programme, chart a way forward. I will challenge the government to come up with a model that other states could emulate and have a peaceful atmosphere.
    “The two major friction points in Nigeria are herdsmen clashes and the issue of Southern Kaduna. People write the way they want because there is freedom of speech in Nigeria. But you incite people; you bring in hatred of one religion and community under the guise of being religious or traditional leader.
    “This cannot be allowed to go on. Government has responsibilities to call people to order in such a straightforward way that people will understand that there is authority.
    “Our religions know the important of authority on the leadership. We cannot just allow things go awry without pulling the strings back of those fomenting trouble, wanting to cause disharmony between Christians and Muslims, whom we all know are brothers and sisters.
    “When a problem is up and hurting everybody, we can only sit together as one big family and deliberate on it and find a way out. Don’t give a terminology to a criminal. Call him a criminal and that is all.”
    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed hinged the security problems on pessimistic and disenchanted youths.
    Ahmed said: “To start with, I have no intention to offer excuses for the violent insurgencies, conflicts and other threats to our security.
    “Long before our country was forced into a recession by a global downturn in the economy, unemployment had become a major social and economic problem.
    “Today, with inflation at 18 per cent and unemployment at an all-time high of 13.9 per cent, the socio-economic challenges posed by youth unemployment are gradually evolving into a security threat, a simmering keg of gun-powder, whose explosion, if not prevented, will have serious implications for our country and its security.
    “Indeed, unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, and weak family ties have been identified in several studies as making youths susceptible to radicalisation and recruitment into insurgency groups.
    “Certainly, the raging poverty and inequality plaguing the country suggest a causal link between despondency, insecurity and other threats to peaceful co-existence.”

  • Reps to meet Buhari over incessant Killings

    Reps to meet Buhari over incessant Killings

    Worried by the continuous killings across the country, the House of  Representatives Thursday mandated the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and other principal officers to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari and the security chiefs over the rising wave of insecurity

    The proposed meeting with  Buhari is for the purpose of getting him to act urgently on the trend of herdsmen attacks, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other security challenges.

    The House also said a conference on security involving all security agencies should be convened to proffer solution to the problem and called for a Declaration of Emergency in Southern Kaduna senatorial district by the Federal and Kaduna State governments.

    The lawmakers also urged the Director of the Department of State Service in charge of internal security to wake up to his responsibility in terms of securing the lives of Nigerians in the country.

    The resolutions of the House was sequel to the adoption of the amended prayers of a motion  of urgent public importance by a member, Hon. Simon Arabo (Kaduna APC) who decried the senseless killings in the region, especially the recent killing of 43 persons and destruction of houses in Kauru Local government, by unknown gunmen.

    Recall that armed men attacked Kigam, Kitakum, Ungwan Magaji, Ungwan Rimi, Ungwan Makera and Kizipi villages in Kauru Local government area of Kaduna state, on November 13 to 14, 2016, killing 43 persons including women and children and injuring several others.

    The lawmakers called for the establishment of a military strike force in the area in the meantime as a form of deterrent, saying the attacks are becoming too rampant.

    The Green Chamber urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of the attacks, in accordance with its resolutions of October 19, 2016 which came on the heel of a previous attacks.

    While supporting the motion, Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba (Kaduna APC) accused the military of apathy to the killings.

    “You call them and they tell you that they do not have mandate to act. In some cases, they come and arrest the same people who have asked them for protection, after the attackers have gone,

    “There is no concern by government. People do what they like and get away with it. The repercussion is great for the nation.

    Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila warned that the attacks have a tendency to migrate to other parts of the country. Its coming to a time when a state of emergency will be declared in Southern Kaduna. It should therefore not be considered a southern Kaduna problem, This is the time to act,” he said.

    Another member, Hon. Zakari Mohammed (Kwara APC) noted that such incidents speak to the need to revisit laws that regulate the rights of citizens to bear arms and the consideration of state police.

    He said: “We have to look at these issues seriously else people would resort to self help. The problem with self help is that it could cause more harm than the initial harm.”

    Other members who supported the motion include, Mohammed sanni Abdul, Garba Datti Mohammed, Babale Bachir, Shehu Garba, Kingsley Chinda and Sanni Zoro.

  • Buhari to army: find strategies to address security challenges

    Buhari to army: find strategies to address security challenges

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Army to come up with new strategies that will address security challenges and ensure eradication of insurgency.

    He gave the directive yesterday in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital while opening this year’s Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference (COAS).

    Buhari said the timeframe he gave to end Boko Haram insurgency should serve as a guide and “if exigencies of multiple operations across the country advises a modification, the Federal Government will not hesitate to do so”.

    The president, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin , explained that “the Nigerian Army must therefore intensify its current effort and develop new strategies that will address the current security challenges facing the country and ensure total eradication of insurgents”.

    Buhari maintained that “the issue of global insecurity occasioned by non-state actors must rightly attract your attention,” adding that “the recent unfortunate and cowardly attacks in Paris and Mali are clear indicators of the reach of global terrorism”.

    He said in tackling terrorism and related security challenges, Nigeria must think and work as a nation.

    Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai was confident that insurgency would be crushed by month end as directed by Buhari.

    He explained that “the immediate challenge facing the Army is the realisation of Mr. President’s directive to terminate the Boko Haram insurgency not later than this month, December”.

    Buratai emphasised that in response to this directive, “the Army has in conjunction with sister services and other security agencies taken the fight to the insurgents’ enclave and I issued the directive of clearance of the Sambisa forest within the stipulated deadline”.

    “I am assuring Mr. President and entire people of Nigeria with their support, the Nigerian Army will meet the December deadline to terminate Boko Haram insurgency and ensure that peace reign in Nigeria, particularly in the Northeastern part of the country,” Buratai said.

    He added that troops were deployed to block the access into and out of the Sambisa forest, identify and destroy the insurgents’ camps.

    Buratai added that formations and units’ headquarters were also relocated closer to the action fronts to tighten operations against the insurgents and deny them freedom of action.

    Jigawa State Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar called on the Chief of Defence Staff to establish military unit in the state.

    The governor said the state is surrounded by states being attacked by Boko Haram and promised to provide free land and the necessary support for the establishment of the military unit.

     

  • Security challenges: Nigeria can’t depend on foreign tech, says CDS

    Security challenges: Nigeria can’t depend on foreign tech, says CDS

    •Olonisakin seeks local partnership

    Nigeria cannot continue to depend entirely on foreign technology to tackle its security challenges, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin has said.

    He spoke yesterday at the Nigeria Air Force Research and Development  Seminar 2015, with the theme: “Maximising potentials for self-reliance in Nigeria Air Force through innovation and local partnership”.

    Olonisakin stressed that the country was endowed with professionals, who were contributing extensively to technology elsewhere in the world.

    But he lamented that lack of synergy was responsible for the technological and industrial backwardness the country was experiencing.

    The CDS said: “There must be collaboration among the military, academia and of course the technocrats and industrialists to harness our various endowments to push Nigeria forward technologically.”

    He reiterated military’s commitment at tackling the security challenges bedeviling the nation, particularly in the Northeast and Southsouth.

    Fielding questions from reporters on the fight against insurgency and the December deadline to defeat Boko Haram, he said presently, the military did not have all the required resources.

    “That is why we are encouraging research and development, so that we can be self-reliant in our production and in no distance future, we will get there. Research and development is a tripod arrangement: the user, manufacturer and academia.

    “The three must synergise. So, we being the users need all the other legs so that we can get the products that are required to prosecute insurgency.

    “We will reach out to local manufacturers to make sure that we inculcate them into the whole arrangement.

    “We are winning the war against  insurgency and we will keep doing that. We are working with timeline and we have our mandate and we are working within our mandate.”

    He added: “Funding is usually an issue you have in any project. But if you are determined and focused, you will get along. Research and development is not a one-day issue. It is a gradual issue. So, as the funds come in, we will begin to improve on which ever project we are into.

    “Nuclear energy is another form of energy. So, for us as a nation, we have all the institutions that have been put in place by government to develop our nuclear energy. In Obafemi Awolowo University, there is a centre for nuclear development, which is an outlet to make sure that we develop our nuclear capabilities.”

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, emphasised that  home-based technology was a sure way to acquire immunity against the vagaries of international politics of economy and defence.

    The special guest of honour and Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who was represented by his deputy, Barnabas Bala Bantex, lauded security exploits in combating insurgency in the Northeast and security joint efforts against cattle-rustling in the Northwest.

  • NCC, NSA, others tackle security challenges

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it is leading a high level multi-stakeholders group, consisting of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Directorate of State Security Service (SSS), telecoms operators and consumer bodies to tackle security challenges.

    Speaking on the sideline of the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum (NIGF-2014) in Lagos, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Euegen Juwah, said security is a multi-stakeholders’ affair, adding that the group will come out with guidelines on the security the telcos need to do to secure their networks against intrusion.

    Represented by the executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr US Maska, he said the idea is to come out with a system that will address the security challenge in the industry, lamenting that one of the challenges besetting the industry is the non-admissibility of electronic evidence

    He said: “Security is a multi-stakeholder issue. The NCC is driving the process that involves all key stakeholders particularly Office of National Security Adviser, NITDA, SSS, operators, consumer groups. Everybody is on board.  The whole idea is to set up a system that will first of all set out guidelines on security; what each service provider needs to do to ensure that their network are secured; set up enlightenment programme for users put schemes of detecting intrusion, eliminating it and where fraud has been committed, come out with how to track down the offender and perhaps, get the offender punished.

    “Unfortunately as you are aware, the legal system is still a problem. There are cases where during the trial of such crimes, you discover there are no provisions for such crimes in the law books. So we are also working with the judiciary to develop legal framework for security.

    “But on top of all these, there is also a bill which will also make all these legal. That is the cyber security bill pending before the National Assembly. We do hope it will be passed as soon as possible.”

    According to Maska, in the case of financial transaction, there are already constitutional provisions that spell out punishment for any infraction.

  • Security challenges reason for suspension, says Erena

    The Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) on Tuesday said that the proposed 2014 Africa Squash Championships was called off because of security challenges in some parts of the country.

    The President of the federation,  Adamu Erena, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    NAN reports that the tournament was to have served off from May 4 to 9 at the Abuja National Stadium. Prior to the cancellation, 15 countries had indicated interest to attend the championships.

    “It is so unfortunate that the country is going through this difficult phase, the level of insecurity is disturbing, so, I understand the plight of invitees. We are praying that the relevant authorities will help to calm the situation, especially in the northern part of the country,’’ he said.

    The president told NAN that a new date would be made known in the not too distant future.

    “We are yet to pick a new date but we will hold a meeting next week and from there we will agree on a new date for the tournament,’’ Erena said.

  • Shettima, Ribadu urge Muslims to pray for Nigeria to overcome security challenges

    Shettima, Ribadu urge Muslims to pray for Nigeria to overcome security challenges

    The 2011 presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday urged Muslims to live with the lessons of the Holy month of Ramadan.

    In a Sallah message by his media aide, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, the former EFCC chairman said: “The lessons of piety, compassion and tolerance learnt from the month-long worship should not be discarded with the passage of the month.

    “The essence of the Ramadan fasting was to cleanse both body and soul. Leaving behind the teachings of Ramadan once the worship is over defeats the purpose of the worship.

    “I urge Muslims to translate the virtues of piety and tolerance from Ramadan to the larger Nigerian society so as to deepen religious tolerance, understanding and charity for the needy.”

    The statement also quoted Ribadu as “urging Muslim faithful to use the occasion of the Eid-el-fitr to pray for the country to overcome security and other challenges currently facing it.”

    Borno State Governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima urged Muslims to “let’s work hard to sustain emerging peace in Borno”

    In a Sallah message through his Special Adviser on Communications, Alhaji Isa Gusau, the governor urged all citizens to firmly contribute in respective ways to sustain the peace emerging in Borno State especially in the face of recent incidents.

    The statement said: “Alhamdulillah, we thank Allah for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and for the Eid festival.

    “We also thank our good citizens who must have devoted their times to offering prayers for the attainment of peace in Borno and the rest of Nigeria. Alhamdulillah, their prayers are Insha Allah being answered because peace is evidently returning to the state even though we have had some recent incidents.

    “The Government is encouraged by the fact that citizens have remained undaunted despite the incidents as they are speedily returning to hitherto deserted areas, Insha Allah, we will remain rooted in our commitment to work for the attainment of peace in our dear Borno State and Nigeria at large .

    “We are bound by constitutional, moral and spiritual obligations to ensure the safety of our citizens and their property and we shall continue to hold these obligations.

    “We, however, need continued support of our dear citizens whose roles in our desperate search for peace is crucial.

    “We will need our citizens to remain dedicated in prayers, cooperative with security bodies, communally vigilant; we urge parents to carry on with guiding their children and wards to be of good and lawful behaviors; we urge citizens to avoid spreading of rumour which can cause false alarms that could lead to general panic and breaches of security while we should all promote peace through making reasonable utterances in private discussions and public discourse.

    “We should at all times realize, that the search for peace is a shared obligation between leaders and the led since peace is basic to our continued existence as individuals and as a society.

    “We must never be deterred by incidents because there is no alternative to the return of peace. I pray that we celebrate the Sallah in peace and harmony.

    “I call on all of us to be kind to our neighbours, relatives, friends and the needy by extending gestures to them in the spirit behind the Ramadan and the Eid-il-fitr. We must be our brother’s keepers to attract compassion from our creator and fellow humans from whom we may also find ourselves in need.

    “Let us always remember that Borno is our collective heritage, it is our home as residents and we have a duty to contribute to its stability, more so that we will, by so doing, work for our own progress as a people.”

  • Security challenges: U.S. suggests comprehensive overhaul of strategies

    Security challenges: U.S. suggests comprehensive overhaul of strategies

    THE United States (U.S.) Consul General in Nigeria, Mr Jeffrey Hawkins, has suggested a comprehensive overhaul of strategies to curtail rising security challenges.

    Hawkins made the suggestion yesterday in Lagos at a ceremony organised by the Campaign for Democracy (CD) and other civil society groups in honour of CD President Dr Joe Odumakin.

    Dr. Odumakin, is a recipient of the International Women of Courage Award from Michelle Obama, the wife of American President Barack Obama.

    The U.S. envoy said the security strategy by Nigeria should not only be predicated on a force-based approach but should also address the economic and political exclusion of vulnerable communities in the North.

    Hawkins said: “The U.S. has also experienced the pain of terrorist attacks, most recently in Boston and we stand by our Nigerian friends as they confront this menace.

    “As an ally of Nigeria, the U.S. is deeply interested in seeing Nigeria remain a stable, peaceful and united country.

    “For that reason, we condemn the senseless acts of terror carried out by groups, such as Boko Haram and Ansaru.”

    The envoy cautioned that the use of force could strengthen the perception that the government is unjust and abusive which extremists could latch on to.

    He said that just as security was key to the U.S.’s mission, so too was the empowerment of women.

    “If women cannot participate in the political process, there can be no real democracy.’’

    Hawkins said fighting corruption, protecting the rights of women and holding security forces accountable would succeed if Nigeria’s vibrant media operated freely.

    Mrs. Odumakin urged security agencies to minimise casualties while containing violence, even as she called on the Federal Government to have a rethink on the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazurike and others , who he she said, never engaged in violent struggle anytime.

    Dr Frederick Fasehun, the founder of the O’odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), lauded Mrs. Odumakin for her consistency in the course of a peaceful Nigeria.

    “No nation is made without constructive criticisms,’’ he said.

    Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, who chaired the occasion, praised those who honoured women of courage worldwide.