No nation can confront regional insecurity alone, Nigeria tells ECOWAS security chiefs
Gov. asks North-West Commission to address regional insecurity, poverty
Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has said addressing security challenges in the West African sub-region requires collective efforts from all affected countries.
Matawalle said this during the Gala Night for the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja. He expressed Nigeria’s appreciation of the ECOWAS military chiefs for their dedication to the shared vision of peace, unity, and regional development.
“Over the years, our region has faced evolving security challenges, from terrorism and insurgency to maritime insecurity and transnational crime.
“Yet, through our collective resolve and cooperation, we have made significant strides in tackling those threats.
“Your effort is instrumental to our dedication to strengthening military collaboration, intelligence sharing and capacity building to safeguard our nation and people,” he said. He urged ECOWAS defence chiefs to reflect on the shared goals and aspirations that unite their countries as members of the regional bloc.
MEANWHILE, worried by the increasing cases of banditry, kidnapping and related security threats in some Northwestern states, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, yesterday, called on the newly established North-West Development Commission to tackle insecurity in the region.
Yusuf also expressed worry over the high level of poverty and unemployment rate among youths in the region, insisting it was time to tackle humanitarian crisis in states under the commission.
The Governor made the call when he received the head of the commission, Lawal Ismail, and the management team on a courtesy visit at the government. He said: “The North-West has been engulfed in so many challenges, especially the issue of insecurity, where bandits and kidnappers are going round kidnapping innocent citizens and demanding ransom and even killing”.
“There are so many issues that need to be addressed and I’m happy part of the act establishing the commission has provided for socioeconomic development, education, human capital development, poverty alleviation, among others.
Earlier, Ismail said the commission would not derail from its mandate as it would work closely and collaborate with the Kano State Government and others for the better living condition in Kano and North West States at large.
Source: The Guardian
