The Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, has advocated a plausible synergy between the European Union and Nigerian Federal Government, to roundly tackle the myriad of security challenges currently plaguing various parts of Nigeria.
Senator Wamakko stated this at his Gawon Nama residence, Sokoto, when he received the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlsen, on a courtesy visit, where he lauded the EU for its varied sustained technical and financial support to Nigeria.
The Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Anti -Corruption further attributed the pervading security problems in the country to the proliferation of porous borders, dotting the Nigerian landscape.
According to him, “many people are routinely crossing into the country, with anything unchecked, especially that, Nigeria shares so many common borders with her closest neighbour, Niger Republic, in many states.
“Communities have vital roles to play, by providing useful credible intelligence information to the security agencies, so as to checkmate the security threats facing the nation, once and for all.”
“Patriotic and well-meaning citizens of the country can also play crucial, invaluable roles in redressing the obnoxious trend”.
He further expressed optimism that, with the sustained, pungent efforts of the Federal Government in fighting the menace, the problem will soon be history.
He also sought workably and mutual collaboration between the various security agencies in Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states.
The Lawmaker urged, “if their operations can be effectively harmonized, through routine intelligence sharing, most of the security challenges in the nation would fizzle out.
“I am also suggesting a dialogue between the various stakeholders, as a way of curbing the insecurity pandemic in the country.
“Another solution to the security challenges is for Nigerians to come together as one family, to find lasting solutions to the problems.
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“Synergy is of paramount importance towards tackling the raging security problems, at all levels in Nigeria .”
Senator Wamakko further solicited the technical support of the European Union to Nigeria with intelligence gathering and advanced technologies, in tackling or detecting any security threats in the country.
Earlier, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlsen, told his host that, he was in the state in furtherance of the long-lasting partnership between the EU and Senator Wamakko.
The Ambassador said, ” the motive behind the visit is also to seek for more areas of collaboration between Nigeria and the European Union, in tackling the emerging security challenges facing the country.
“I decided to meet with you as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, towards finding solutions, to further stem the tide of insecurity in Nigeria .”
Mr Karlsen, however, averred that, based on the reports received so far, the hitherto precarious security situation in the country was fast improving.
Ambassador Karlsen further solicited the support of Senator Wamakko, on how EU will collaborate with the Nigerian Government, to curb the menace, especially in some parts of Sokoto State.
The EU Envoy could not also hide his innate excitement on his impression about what he saw in Sokoto, particularly the mammoth crowd of people at the Senator’s residence who came for the traditional Sallah Homage, adding, ” really, you are a leader, worthy of emulation. “
The Ambassador later presented a book on the Nigerian Election to Senator Wamakko and hoped that he would champion the unravelling of the security problems in the country.
The Ambassador was accompanied on the visit by the Head of the ECOWAS Office of the EU and his Political Adviser.
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