Governors of the North-East states have lamented the rising spate of banditry in the region just as it accused traditional rulers and local authorities in the six states of collaborating with the bandits to cause mayhem among innocent citizens.
The governors under the North-East Governors’ Forum stated this in a communique issued at the end of their eighth meeting which was held in Maiduguri, Borno State on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
According to the communique which was signed and read by the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, obtained by our correspondent in Bauchi, the rising banditry in the region was because of the aggressive military operations against them in other parts of the country.
They specifically mentioned Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba states as becoming a safe haven for the terrorists.
“While acknowledging the relative success recorded against insurgency, a new dimension of growing banditry is added to worsen the security situation in the subregion. As a result of the concerted efforts of the military to flush out bandits from the other parts of the country, the bandits are now moving towards the North-East.
“The case is becoming worse in Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba, places hitherto without banditry. The Forum calls on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to address this issue.
“The Forum is aware that some traditional rulers and other local authorities are conniving with the bandits, giving them shelter and cover to commit crimes within the subregion. The Forum unanimously resolved to decisively deal with any
traditional ruler or community leader that is found to be harbouring or conniving with the bandits,” the Forum stated.
It added that the proliferation of legal and illegal mining in the region is becoming a problem, noting that there is a link between mining activities and insecurity, especially the abuse of the mining leases.
The Forum, therefore, calls on the respective Governments to enforce compliance with the provisions of local consent as contained in Nigeria’s Mining Policy and reiterates its call for strict compliance with the provisions of the Land Use Act.
According to the Forum, Climate Change and environmental degradation which are major issues affecting the subregion are a source of great concern.
“The issue of flooding that has affected the states leading to destruction of properties and loss of livelihoods is increasing the sufferings of the people. This has been compounded by the silting of our rivers as well as deforestation brought about by the massive charcoal business. There is the need for the Federal Government’s intervention in the area of desilting the rivers.
“Furthermore, there is the need for effective control on deforestation with stern regulation to local authorities against compromise to granting approvals for such business. The Forum has resolved to key into the Global Initiative of Carbon Credi, the Great Green Wall and other initiatives that will mitigate the devastating impact of climate change in the subregion,” it stated.
Zulum said that the Forum noted with dismay the seeming neglect of road and railway infrastructure especially along the economic corridors that link the North-East zone to the rest of the country.
It stated that the roads from Enugu to Maiduguri are in deplorable State and equally worse is the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri which has been destroyed, called on the Federal Government to look into the situation and consider the reconstruction of these basic infrastructures along Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor because it is a major route for regional trade and very important for integration, peace building and improving national unity.
Furthermore, the communique indicated that the North-East Governors agreed that all the States within the subregion are to domesticate the Education Law 2022, as recommended by the Northeast Education Council earlier constituted by the Forum.
Other resolutions during the meeting are: “The Forum charges the Northeast Development Commission to be more proactive with the issues of development in the subregion. Its intervention should be well prioritized in short, medium and long term to take care of the sustainable development needs of the people within the subregion.
“The forum resolved to promote subregional commerce among member States. It further agreed to resuscitate the northeast trade fair to be held in Bauchi in January, 2024.
“The Forum appreciated the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Kashim Shettima for gracing the opening ceremony of the 8th meeting of the NEGF and the Government and People of Borno State for hosting the event.
“The Forum resolved to hold the 9th Meeting in Yola, Adamawa State between Friday 3rd – Saturday 4th – November, 2023.”
The PUNCH reports that those in attendance were the governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe; while the Governors of Gombe and Taraba were represented by their deputy governors.
