The North-West Agenda for Peace (NOWAP) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his proactive measures in addressing the escalating security challenges in the region.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Comrade Abba Gana Abba, and Secretary-General, Usman Abubakar, the group noted that the presence of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, in the region attests to the President’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and banditry.
According to the group: “We applaud President Tinubu’s directive for the Minister and security chiefs to relocate to the North-West, demonstrating his concern for the region’s security situation.
“This move is a clear indication of the President’s willingness to take bold steps in addressing the challenges. It is reassuring to note that Mr. President has not forgotten the people of the North-West in this time of crisis.
“The North-West region has been plagued by terrorism and banditry, with four of its seven states ranking among the top five states with the highest number of kidnappings between July 2023 and June 2024.
“Therefore, the presence of the Defence Minister and security chiefs is a welcome development in the fight against these criminal elements.
“We are encouraged by the Minister’s assurance to the troops of the President’s support in crushing bandits across the country.
“The President’s commitment to providing all necessary resources to the troops is a clear indication of his dedication to ending the security challenges in the region.
“We urge Mr. President to do his best to identify and bring to justice the sponsors of banditry and other forms of insecurity within the region. This will help address the root causes of the problem and bring lasting peace.
“The presence of the Defence Minister and security chiefs will significantly improve security in the region. Firstly, it will boost the morale of the troops, who will feel supported and motivated to intensify their efforts against the bandits.
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“Secondly, it will enable the security agencies to develop a more effective strategy to tackle the security challenges, with the Minister and security chiefs providing guidance and oversight.
“Finally, it will send a clear message to the bandits and terrorists that the government is committed to ending their reign of terror and that they will be brought to justice.
“We hail the troops for their bravery and sacrifices in the fight against banditry and terrorism. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we commend them for their unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.
“We urge them to remain focused and undeterred in their efforts to eliminate the bandits and terrorists. The recent failed mission should not be seen as a setback but rather as an opportunity to regroup and intensify efforts to bring peace to the region.
“We call on all stakeholders, including local communities, traditional leaders, and civil society organisations, to support and cooperate with the security agencies in their efforts to bring peace and stability to the North-West. This is a collective responsibility, and we must all work together to achieve this goal.
“We also urge the federal government to provide all necessary support and resources to the security agencies, enabling them to effectively tackle the region’s security challenges. This includes providing additional funding, equipment, and personnel, as well as ensuring that the security agencies have the necessary legal and policy framework to operate effectively.”
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