Minna: The Commander, Corps of Artillery, Maj.-Gen. Zakari Abubakar has said that there is a need for a robust synergy amongst stakeholders to tackle insecurity in Niger.
He said this at a maiden security and stakeholders’ meeting held at the Military Cantonment, Kontagora, Niger.
Abubakar emphasised the importance of unity and collective action in addressing the security challenges facing the state.
“Security is everybody’s responsibility. We must work together, regardless of our backgrounds, to restore peace in our communities.
“Peace is a universal language and a prerequisite for any meaningful development,” he said.
The commander noted that credible and timely intelligence sharing among stakeholders was critical in countering the activities of criminal elements.
He emphasised that the meeting served as a forum for collaboration, building mutual trust, fostering community engagement and promoting inter-agency cooperation.
He called on religious leaders to intensify their prayers for peace and tasked local government chairpersons and community leaders with providing continuous support for security agencies.
He also urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies to help dismantle the bandits’ network.
Speaking, the Speaker of the Niger House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, commended the corps commander for the initiative, describing the meeting as the first of its kind in Kontagora.
He expressed confidence that the forum would strengthen ties amongst stakeholders and enhance operational synergy.
Sarkin-Daji highlighted the complex nature of insecurity in the state, including kidnapping, cattle rustling, and communal clashes.
He noted that criminal networks often operate across local, national and international routes and called for strong political will to combat them.
Also, Maj.-Gen. John Sokoya, Commander of the Nigerian Army Training Centre, called for enhanced cooperation between communities and security forces, reiterating the need for timely intelligence to prevent and respond to threats.
In his remark, retired Maj.-Gen. Salisu Sa’id urged residents to shun criminal collusion and aid security agencies with credible information to dismantle bandit networks.
Dignitaries from Rijau, Mariga, and Kontagora communities attended the meeting.
Also in attendance were serving and retired military personnel, traditional rulers, religious leaders, political figures and representatives from various security agencies.
