North East Governors unite to tackle banditry, environmental challenges
The North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has expressed deep concern regarding the increasing influx of bandits into certain states within the region.
This concern was conveyed in a communique released following the 8th meeting of the forum in Maiduguri, signed by its Chairman, Governor Babagana Zulum.
During the meeting, the forum urgently called upon the Federal Government to intervene in the situation.
The bandits in question are believed to have been displaced from other parts of the country due to military operations and are now moving into the North East, particularly in Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba states.
“While acknowledging the relative success recorded against insurgency, a new dimension of growing banditry is added to worsen the security situation in the subregion.
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“The forum calls on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to address the issue.
“The forum is aware that some traditional rulers and other local authorities are conniving with the bandits, giving them shelter and cover to commit crimes within the subregion.
The forum unanimously resolved to decisively deal with any traditional ruler or community leader that is found to be harboring or conniving with the bandits,” the communique said.
In addition to the security concerns, the forum also voiced alarm about the proliferation of illegal mining activities in the region. These activities are increasingly linked to insecurity and abuse of mining leases.
The forum urged all levels of government to enforce compliance with Nigeria’s Mining Policy and emphasized the need for strict adherence to the provisions of the Land Use Act.
Furthermore, the communique drew attention to the pressing issues of climate change and environmental degradation affecting the subregion. Last year’s devastating floods, compounded by river siltation and deforestation resulting from charcoal production, have exacerbated the suffering of the people.
“This has been compounded by the silting of our rivers as well as deforestation brought about by the massive charcoal business. There is a need for the Federal Government’s intervention in the area of desilting the rivers.
“Furthermore, there is the need for effective control of deforestation with stern regulation to local authorities against compromise to granting approvals for such business.
“The forum has resolved to key into the Global Initiative of Carbon Credit, the Great Green Wall, and other initiatives that will mitigate the devastating impact of climate change in the subregion,” the communique stated.
The forum agreed that all the states within the subregion were to domesticate the Education Law 2022, as recommended by the Northeast Education Council earlier constituted by the forum.
It also urged the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) to be more proactive with the issues of development in the sub-region.
“Its intervention should be well prioritized in short, medium, and long term, to take care of the sustainable development needs of the people within the subregion.
“The forum resolved to promote subregional commerce among member states. It further agreed to resuscitate the northeast trade fair to be held in Bauchi in January 2024.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by the governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe, while the governors of Gombe and Taraba were represented by their deputies.
The forum resolved to convene its 9th meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, on November 3.
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