How banditry, insecurity can be addressed in northern Nigeria – Zulum

 

Governor Babagana Zulum

By John M Tondo

Infrastructural development, educational reform, healthcare enhancement, empowerment and job creation have been identified as some of the measures that can be taken by government to address lingering insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, made the suggestion in a keynote address at the 10th Annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture and Merit Award on Saturday in Maiduguri.

Zulum spoke on the theme, ‘Creating Pathways for Peace: Tackling Banditry and Insurgency through Good Governance for Sustainable Development’.

He described the theme as relevant and timely.

“It highlights the challenges we have faced over the years, particularly in the wake of Boko Haram crisis. It is evident that good governance is crucial in curbing future insurgencies,” he added.

The governor noted that while his administration combined both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to addressing the Boko Haram crisis, the root causes of insurgency have also been looked into critically.

According to him, in a bid to curtail banditry, insurgency and other forms of insecurity, the Borno State Government has undertaken projects in many key sectors.

“Here in Borno State, we have undertaken various projects since assuming office with the aim of promoting good governance and tackling all forms of insecurity,” Zulum said.

Chairman Board of Trustees, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, (SABMF) and former Governor of Niger State, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, said the rise of banditry and other forms of insecurity is a direct consequence of deep-rooted socio-economic and governance issues.