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Tag: northern governors

  • Shamed by Zamfara schoolgirls abduction, Northern governors issue red card to bandits

    Shamed by Zamfara schoolgirls abduction, Northern governors issue red card to bandits

    The Northern States Governors Forum on Friday condemned another attack on Government Secondary School, Jangebe in Zamfara State where hundreds of schoolgirls were abducted, saying enough is enough.

    Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, in a statement, said this trend is unacceptable and that strong measures must be taken to put an end to it before it escalated into a monster that would consume educational pursuit and national aspirations.

    Lalong said this development, which is coming on the heels of the abduction of school children in Kagara, Niger State still being addressed, called for serious concerns among all Nigerians.

    He said “as Northern Governors, we are deeply saddened by this embarrassing and unfortunate attack on our children who are in schools to seek knowledge and build capacity to impact the nation and create a better society.

    “The assault on schools where innocent and harmless students are targeted should not be condoned in any way because it has the tendency to set the nation back to ignorance and more poverty. The Northern part of the country in particular is more educationally disadvantaged and cannot afford to have these disruptions. Enough is enough,” he said.

    The Northern Governors, therefore, urged security agencies to use every asset at their disposal to rescue the children and bring to justice those behind the act.

    They also want Nigerians to support the security agencies and government with credible information that would lead to swift resolution of the situation.

    Lalong sympathised with the families of the abducted school children, the people and Government of Zamfara State, assuring them of the support of the Forum in tackling the problem.

    The Northern Governors Forum rose from their meeting in Kaduna on Thursday where they resolved to take far reaching measures to address insecurity and other challenges of the region and the nation at large.

     

  • Insecurity: Northern governors, traditional rulers, others meet in Kaduna

    Insecurity: Northern governors, traditional rulers, others meet in Kaduna

    Governors of the nineteen Northern States, Traditional Rulers, and Security Chiefs are meeting in Kaduna today to discuss the alarming rise in security threats and other socioeconomic problems in the region.

    The meeting which is taking place at the Kaduna state government house comes barely two weeks after governors of the Northwest zone held a similar meeting with the service Chiefs and the National Security Adviser to discuss ways to address the issue of banditry and kidnapping bedeviling the zone.

    Among the governors attending today’s meeting are those of Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kano, Katsina, Plateau, as well as the deputy Governors of Bauchi, Kogi, Zamfara, Benue, and Niger states.

    Also in attendance is the Chief of Staff to the president, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, the Inspector General of Police, the Minister of Information and Culture, and the Director-General State Security Services.

    Others are traditional Rulers led by the sultan of Sokoto and representatives of the Northern Elders Forum.

    In their opening remarks, the host Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and the Chairman of the forum, Simon Lalong said the meeting is long overdue and crucial for the progress of the north and the country in general.

    While El-Rufai urges his colleagues to adopt strategies to forestall all forms of security challenges in the north, Governor Lalong regrets the attacks and killings menacing the region, noting that it is the responsibility of governors and other leaders to find lasting solutions to the problem.

    He also describes the recent kidnap of school children in Government Science Secondary School Kagara, Niger State as well as travelling passengers as a wake-up call for leaders and also as a sad reminder of the difficult situation the north is facing.

    On the issue of herder-farmer clashes which has in recent weeks generated serious concerns because of the harsh rhetoric from various parts of the country, Lalong agrees that open grazing is no longer sustainable for obvious reasons, hence, he also says that the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) also keyed into the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) is a veritable option that will go a long way in ending the clashes through organised ranching.

    The northern governors also appealed to their colleagues in other parts of the country and all citizens particularly opinion leaders to be cautious in their utterances and actions, warning that such unguided utterances could provide the oxygen for the exploitation of the nation’s fault lines to the detriment of the entire country.

    During the meeting, the leaders are expected to take a hard and critical look at the conflicts and come up with implementable ways and means of addressing them squarely

  • Northern governors condemn open grazing, beg FG for grants to retool Fulani herders

    Northern governors condemn open grazing, beg FG for grants to retool Fulani herders

    The Northern Governors Forum has agreed that current system of herding conducted mainly through open grazing was no longer sustainable.

    The Northern state governors spoke during an emergency meeting which they held virtually on Monday to discuss issues affecting the region and the country.

    In a communiqué released in Jos on Tuesday after the meeting by the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, the Governors expressed concern over the tension generated by the eviction order issued to herdsmen in some parts of the country.

    They noted that the situation was heating the already fragile security atmosphere with threats of reprisals which the Northern Governors are working assiduously to contain.

    They also stressed the urgent need for the Nigerian Governors Forum to meet and discuss the issue holistically with a view to resolving all areas of misunderstanding and conflicts arising from these threats and suspicion for the sake of national unity.

    Part of The Communiqué read, “Consequently, Forum resolved to aggressively sensitise herdsmen on the need to adopt new methods of herding by ranching or other acceptable modern methods.

    “It appeals to the Federal Government to support States with grants to directly undertake pilot projects of modern livestock production that will serve as springboard and evidence for breaking resistance to the full implementation of new methods of livestock production.

    “Forum Resolved to engage elders and youths in a robust discussion with a view to dousing the tensed security environment in the north. Accordingly, a four-person committee was put in place to be headed by the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.”

    The communique equally called for restraint from leaders including those in the Southern parts of the country “where passion is high” and urged “all the citizens of the north to continue to live in peace with all Nigerians irrespective of their origins and backgrounds”.

  • Northern governors back regulation of social media

    Northern governors back regulation of social media

    The Northern Governors Forum on Monday expressed support for the ongoing efforts to regulate the social media in order to check the spread of fake news in the country.

    The Forum expressed its support in a communique issued by its Chairman and Governor of Plateau, Mr Simon Lalong, after its meeting in Kaduna with traditional rulers and other key stakeholders in the region.

    The meeting, which took note of the devastating effect of the uncontrolled social media in spreading fake news, called for major control mechanisms and
    censorship of social media practice in Nigeria.

    It also expressed support for the reform of the police to strengthen their capacity.

    “Forum appreciates the major reforms going on in the Police Force and pledges to support Mr. President on this course.

    “The meeting resolves to support the Nigerian Police Force to serve the country better and calls for the strengthening of trust between the people and the Police,” it said.

    The Forum set up two committees to push for statutory roles for traditional rulers and engagement with youths and civil society organisations.

    The Committee on Roles of Traditional Rulers is headed by the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage, with two representatives from the National Assembly and a minister as members.

    The Committee on Youth and Civil Society Organisations has the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamalli, as Chairman

    The forum has representative of elders, youths, women and persons with disability as members from each of the three zones.

    Others are representatives of Muslim and Christian clerics, business community and police.

    “These engagement committees are to commence work immediately,” it said.

    It appreciated the roles traditional rulers played in containing the #End SARS protests in the region, and collectively agreed that traditional rulers be given formal roles in the govemance architecture of the country.

    The meeting rejected and condemned the subversive acțions of some #End SARS protesters and endorsed “the indivisibility, indissolubility and oneness of the nation.”

    It commended the National Assembly and the Presidency for being proactive in addressing the issues of protests across the country.

    The governors also called for an amicable resolution of the ASUU strike to enable students resume their studies.

    The forum agreed to hold the meeting regularly and expand it to involve other critical stakeholders such as religious leaders, business community and youths leaders.

    It appreciated the roles of religious groups, JNI and CAN, for their positive interventions in resolving the #EndSARS conflicts.

    The forum called for collective efforts in addressing the lingering challenges of the region, such as Almajiri system, insecurity, illiteracy and poverty.

    The forum also appreciated the youths in curtailing the spread of hooliganism, thuggery and other separatist
    tendencies during the #EndSARS protest.

    “The meeting expressed concern over the low level involvement of relevant of stakeholders in the implementation programmes of government and calls on the relevant agencies to review implementation strategies to make for maximum impact and benefits,” it said.

    The meeting was attended by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawal, and
    Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, among other dignitaries.

  • #ENDSARs: Northern governors back Buhari, allege regime change agenda

    #ENDSARs: Northern governors back Buhari, allege regime change agenda

    Northern governors have accused those they labelled as “diabolical influencers” of cashing in on the #EndSARS protests to push for a regime change.

    The governors also wondered why the protests have persisted despite efforts by the federal and state governments to pacify the protesters.

    In a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of their emergency meeting in Kaduna, under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), the governors urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari, the federal government and democracy.

    The communiqué, which was signed by the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau State, Hon. Simon Lalong, said the forum discussed issues bordering on national security, particularly the nationwide EndSARS protest, which led to the destruction of lives and property in some parts of the country.

    “Concerned by these developments, the Northern States Governors’ Forum met and deliberated on the matter.

    “The forum, however, expressed concern on why the protests have persisted despite the magnanimity exhibited by the federal government and various state governments, and calls from well-meaning Nigerians to put an end to the protest,” the communiqué said.
    While acknowledging the constitutional rights of all citizens to protest, the governors, however, condemned the attendant incessant destruction of lives and property during the protests.

    It commiserated with those who lost their lives, the wounded and those whose property were destroyed.
    According to it, “The forum strongly sues for unity and peaceful co-existence of all citizens and groups of people in Nigeria.

    “Urge all Nigerians to see themselves as equal citizens of the country as the unity of Nigeria cannot be compromised.

    “The forum regrets the diabolical influencers in form of hooliganism, ethno-religious bigots and even political marauders who are bent on pulling the nation down its knees and pushing for regime change.”

    The forum called on all Nigerians to resist the people it called enemies of the nation by supporting the president, the federal government and democracy at large.
    It appealed to all citizens for restraint from sentiments, harassment and intimidation of other citizens resident in their home states.

  • BREAKING: Northern governors meet Buhari, reject disbandment of SARS

    BREAKING: Northern governors meet Buhari, reject disbandment of SARS

    The 19 northern governors have rejected the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) by the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    Simon Lalong, Plateau state governor and chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, told State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Thursday that the police unit has been useful in the fight against insecurity in the region.

    “SARS is not made up of bad elements alone as it also includes personnel who are doing their work diligently,” he said.

    Lalong said what is needed is the reformation of the unit to enable it discharge its functions “optimally”.

    Recall, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, announced the disbandment of SARS on Sunday following nationwide protests against alleged human rights violations by the unit.

    But the protests continued as the #EndSARS campaigners demanded the prosecution of all officers named in cases of rights abuses.

    The protests have spread across the country and have persisted for days.

  • Army hands over captured 778 Boko Haram family members to Northern Governors

    Army hands over captured 778 Boko Haram family members to Northern Governors

    The Nigerian Army on Monday handed over 778 family members of Boko Haram terrorists captured in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, to governors of 16 northern states for rehabilitation.

    Maj.-Gen. Moundhey Ali, Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, handed over the refugees on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the command headquarters in Doma, Nasarawa state.

    Ali said the terrorists’ family members were captured from Uttu community in Toto LGA of Nasarawa state during a recent joint military operation codenamed “Operation Nut Cracker” carried out by the Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Navy, the Nigeria Police Force as well as the Department of State Service.

    He explained that the operation was conducted to clear out terrorists and bandits camps in Ugya, Panda and Uttu forests and contiguous hill in Nasarawa state, as well as Zagana, Makpa, Agbuchi and Barada in Koton Large LGA, Kogi state.

    According to the commander, the operation as directed by the Chief of Army Staff, followed several complaints of killings, kidnapping for ransom, abduction for sex slavery and cattle rustling among others in the region.

    He noted that the Boko Haram terrorists in the North Central region had established camps in Nasarawa and Kogi communites over the years, from where they unleash mayhem on victims along Okene-Lokoja, Lokoja-Abaji, and Toto-Umaisha roads, adding that they had made social and economic activities in the area almost non-existent.

    Ali said that the feat was a product of seamless cooperation and professional execution based on detailed preparations.

    “I therefore, present to you these captured 778 women and children, family members of Boko Haram terrorists that came from 17 states of the nation who have decided to terrorise this nation,” he said.

    The commander listed their states of origin to include Niger, Kano, Kastina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi, Kaduna, Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Gombe, Kwara and Yobe states and FCT.

    He added that the women were fully involved in the act of terrorism as they were responsible for indoctrinating new kidnap victims and also serve as bankers of the spoils of kidnapping and armed robbery acts of their husbands.

    He said that items recovered from the destroyed terrorists camps include improvised explosive devices, ammunitions and materials for producing rockets.

    According to him, intelligence had proven that the explosives were prepared to cause mayhem in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Ali attributed the success of the operation to the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces President Muhammadu Buhari, the Service Chiefs as well as the people of the region.

    “I must reiterate that, the people of North Central region have proven beyond doubt, that indeed even in the 21st century, terrorism can still be defeated when the people reject the terrorist.

    “This brings to fire that, once the people reject the terrorist as done by the people of North Central region, the terrorists’ will have nowhere to hibernate. This is a food for thought to our people in the North Eastern and North Western part of our dear country” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three states governent were present at the handing over ceremony

    Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa and his Niger state counterpart, Abubakar Bello were represented by their deputies, Dr Emmanuel Akabe and Ahmed Ketso, while. Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi was represented by his Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on security, Doru Jerry.

    Governor Sule in his remarks, lauded the security agencies for the feat.

    He advised the fleeing terrorists to take advantage of the widow of opportunity provided by the miliary to surrender themselves in order to be reintegrated into the society for the sake of peace in the state and the country at large.

    Similarly, Gov. Bello of Niger assured that the women and children of the dislodged terrorists would rehabilitated.

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, on his part, urged security agencies to sustain the tempo of the onslaught against the terrorists in the area.

  • Boko Haram: Northern Governors demand probe of Mailafiya’s allegations

    Boko Haram: Northern Governors demand probe of Mailafiya’s allegations

    The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) have called on security agencies to investigate allegations made by a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Obadiah Mailafiya that one of them is a Commander of the Boko Haram sect.

    Chairman of the NGF and governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong made this known in a statement made available to TheNewsGuru.com, TNG on Thursday.

    TNG reports that Mailafiya in a live streamed interview with a radio station on Monday alleged two repentant terrorists identified a serving northern governor as a Boko Haram leader, an allegation the NGF finds implicative and deserves investigation.

    “….We as Northern Governors have met severally to discuss insecurity in the Northern Region and the nation at large where we did not only condemn the activities of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminals, but also engaged the President and all heads of security agencies in finding solutions to the problem…..”

    “To now say that one of our members is leading Boko Haram in Nigeria is a serious allegation that cannot be swept under the carpet. We demand immediate and thorough investigation”. Lalong said.

  • Insecurity: Buhari meets Northeast governors, security chiefs in Aso Villa

    Insecurity: Buhari meets Northeast governors, security chiefs in Aso Villa

    President Muhammadu Buhari is meeting with Governors from the six Northeast states and security chiefs over rising insecurity in the region.

    At the meeting in Abuja on Monday were Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd); and the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

    Governors in attendance include Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Ahmadu Fintri of Adamawa; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi; Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe; Darius Ishaku of Taraba; and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe.

    Others are: Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; Director-General, Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufa’i; Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi and the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammad Dingyadi.

    The meeting was held after the Governors, on Saturday, elected Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, as Chairman of the region’s Governors Forum.

    The Governors had pledged to partner with the government to fight Boko Haram and requested for more hardware for the military to tackle insurgency in the region.

    They asked the military to intensify efforts to secure hard-to-reach areas in the region and ensure safe access to farm-lands.

  • We need special ‘COVID-19 bailout’ like Lagos, Northern governors tell Buhari

    The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) has asked for special fund from the Federal Government to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

    The chairman of the forum and governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong made the call on Monday in Jos, after members’ meeting via teleconferencing.

    The Northern Governors discussed COVID-19 with special attention to its effects on the region.

    President Buhari had approved N10billion for Lagos.

    Now every state wants the largesse.

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers had raised the issue first.

    He accused the APC central government of discrimination.

    Lagos is an APC state, just like Buhari’s central government is APC controlled.

    Lalong said the states in the northern parts also require the special funding.

    He said the fund would assist them in their frantic efforts to prevent any outbreak as well as prepare against any eventuality.

    He claimed efforts to combat the pandemic had eaten deep into the pockets of the states as they had spent huge money already and might not be able to sustain the campaign.

    He said the forum would liaise with the federal government and the private sector to benefit from available palliatives and donations.

    Lalong said the region was making efforts to diversify its economy by concentrating on areas of its comparative advantage to reduce over dependence on federal government allocations.

    He said the region would strengthen border controls and surveillance as well as collaborations, to ensure that there was synergy in enforcing movement restriction in the region.

    He said that there were indications that enforcing cross-border movements remains a challenge, as some recorded cases in some states were from external contacts in spite of border closure.

    The NGF leader said the meeting resolved that each State adopt suitable measures peculiar to its environment.

    The NGF said a total lockdown may be detrimental, since most people in the region were farmers who needed to cultivate their farms, especially as the rainy season begins.

    He said the forum would liaise with the federal government to ensure that every State in the region gets at least one testing centre while highly populated ones could get two.

    The chairman commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the measures taken to combat the pandemic and promised to support him to defeat the disease.

    Lalong also commended the citizens of the region for supporting various directives of the State Governments in handling the situation, urging them to endure the situation being a global emergency.