How to end insecurity in Nigeria — Buratai

The Nigerian Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), has offered measures capable of addressing the menace of insecurity facing Nigeria, saying that everybody’s participation in achieving a peaceful nation is necessary.

Buratai, a former Chief of Army Staff, spoke on Saturday at a one-day symposium on National security, organised by Arewa House in Kaduna, with the theme ‘Politics and Insecurity in Nigeria: Way Forward’.

He said there are currently various forms of insecurity in different parts of the country such as insurgency in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West, agitations in South East and crude oil bunkering in South-South.

Buratai suggested the adoption of compressive and integrated approach to enable the entire society play key roles in tackling the country’s security challenges.

He explained that the comprehensive approach should also entail the involvement of critical stakeholders from the society, such as religious leaders, youths, teachers, women, civil society, media, law enforcement as well as the security and intelligence agencies.

“There is a need for the public to be constantly sensitised and enlightened on their roles as stakeholders in the security architecture of the country through agencies such as the National Orientation Agency, among others,” he said.

Buratai also said that the revitalisation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) would mitigate the challenge of lack of specialised equipment and platforms for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to curb insecurity.

“This is crucial in meeting the increasing equipment requirements of AFN to confront current and emerging security threats.

“To achieve this, the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with stakeholders, could put structures in place for adequate manpower training for DICON staff.

“This would further enhance their specialised manpower and increase their capacity for production of military hardware for the AFN,” he said.

Buratai further said the ongoing reforms of the Nigerian Police, procurement of modern platforms for intelligence gathering, and effective control of Nigeria’s porous borders would go a long way in achieving the desired security in the country.

Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Abubakar, assured of traditional and religious institutions’ commitment in ensuring they play their strategic roles in achieving a peaceful Nigeria.

Abubakar, represented by Dr. Bello Lafiagi, urged Nigerians to be prayerful and be each other’s brothers’ keepers, by exhibiting a high level of trust and compassion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the symposium was attended by representatives of heads of military and paramilitary organisations, religious and traditional rulers, academics, among others. (NAN)