BEVERLY HILLS, August 14, (THEWILL) –Â The general insecurity in the country can only be overcome if security operatives are more affirmative in the discharge of their duties.
Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) stated this Thursday in Gombe, the Gombe State capital, where he chaired a two-day stakeholders’ dialogue on peace and development .
He maintained that this is key for the country to overcome the present security challenge.
Gowon however expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome the security challenges, saying all security agencies need to work hard and ensure they are on top of the situation.
He also condemned the recent attempt to assasinate a former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as well as the attendant blame game.
Describing the current challenges as unusual times in the history of the country, he maintained that security agencies need to be on top of the situation in order to restore the confidence of those affected by the insurgency .
He nonetheless advised Nigerians not to despair, saying every country passes through hard times before becoming great, even as he added that all Nigerians have a collective responsibility for ending the insurgency to ensure that the country remains indivisible.
“Over a year ago, the Nigerian government launched a determined counter-insurgency measure to restore law and order as well as restore hope to our nation. We must understand the need to fight the common enemy through mutual understanding, the re-invigoration of trust and the building of confidence amongst all stakeholders, towards the sustenance of the united Nigeria project. I am confident that this tight phase shall soon pass,” he stated.
In his remarks at the occasion, Gombe State governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, faulted the attention being given to terrorists in the media.
“Newspapers carry stories of terrorist attacks almost daily on their front pages thus raising the profile of insecurity. Even when the situation is improving, such reports give a lot of fame and hope to the insurgents because their actions are highlighted,” he said.
Maintaining that dialogue was the best way to tackle insurgency, Dankwambo advised all aggrieved persons to lay down their arms make their demands known.
He noted that the economy must be diversified, security apparatus be strengthened and the country’s borders be secured, to curb insurgency.
Also speaking at the occasion, Minister for interior, Abba Moro, lamented that the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists group show disregard for the sovereignty of Nigeria as a nation.
He also maintained that blame games by political leaders must stop in order to win the war against insurgency .
“The blame game between the Federal Government and the leaders of the zone must be curtailed, if the war against terror must be won. It is imperative that we must forge some sort of common understanding and build confidence among the key stakeholders in the North-East and indeed Nigeria. It is therefore necessary that political leaders must continue to explore the option of dialogue,” the Minister advised.
The Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar; the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad; Chief of Army staff and his naval counterpart, as well as the Director General, State Security Services and the Commandant General of the National Security and Civil Defense Corps, all sent goodwill messages to the forum.
