The Governors of the Northern States, have resolved to engage Local Hunters and Vigilante groups, in the fight against banditry and other forms of insecurity in the region, Page 36 learnt.
This followed growing concerns over the recent killings in Kasina, Zamfara, Sokoto States, and other parts of the region.
The Northern Governors Forum, NGF, which met via teleconferencing to review the security situation in the region, was presided over by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong. The Forum expressed serious concern over the level of the insecurity which has resulted in the loss of many lives and property in the region.
The Governors also resolved to set up a Standing Committee on Security in the region, to be headed by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, to help foster synergy with Security Agencies, in the enforcement of security measures in the region.
The Committee has the Governors of Zamfara and Gombe States as members.
A statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Chairman of the Forum, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, in Jos, after the meeting, said that the Governors also set up another Committee to be headed by Governor Simon Lalong, for consultations with Traditional, Religious, and Community Leaders in the North, to ensure wider involvement in tackling insecurity in the region. It has the Governors of Adamawa, Niger, and Sokoto States, as members.
“Another decision reached by the Governors, is the engagement of Local Vigilantes, Hunters, and Community Watch groups, in the security architecture of the region, in order to foster intelligence gathering, rapid response, and sustained surveillance”, the statement said.
While sympathising with victims of the various attacks and other forms of criminality in the region, the Forum appealed for calm by groups and those affected, as it stated that both the Forum and the Federal Government are working together to ensure that the situation is brought under control, as well as addressing the humanitarian needs of the victims.
The Forum appealed to all Security Agencies in the country, to step up efforts to put an end to banditry and other forms of insecurity in the country.
