Aleke Aleke in Abuja
The Federal Government yesterday stated that West Africa’s maritime border has continued to be a major source of threat, emphasizing that it is largely porous and unmanned.
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This, the government said, has resulted in smuggling, narcotics and human trafficking, illegal migration, as well as the movement of arms and ammunition. The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, made this statement while delivering a keynote address at the Stakeholders Conference on Security in Nigeria, organised by the Ministry of Police Affairs in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and the National Central Bureau in Abuja.
The Minister noted that addressing the challenge of terrorism requires a holistic and multifaceted approach. Senator Gaidam stressed that implementing international standards and best practices in sound, modern, integrated, and cooperative border management will go a long way in mitigating this threat.
Urging stakeholders to work collaboratively towards a shared vision of security, the Minister said, “We can overcome these challenges and emerge as a beacon of stability and progress in Africa if all hands are on deck.”
He stated that the Nigerian Government is not resting on its laurels in mitigating insecurity, as it has taken several measures, including deploying the military, cooperating with international partners, and implementing counter-terrorism legislation, among others.
According to him, “We are aware that insecurity has aggravated instability and setbacks in this sub-region. However, I am optimistic that effective information sharing and cooperation among countries in the region are critical to addressing these challenges. We must therefore prioritize long-term solutions aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity.” This conference will identify bottlenecks and develop lasting solutions to crimes and insecurity.
“In addition, promoting the 19 universal legal instruments against terrorism, aiding domestic implementation of those instruments, and facilitating cooperation nationally and regionally could result in a terrorism-free future. We must all work relentlessly to prevent and counter the evolving threat of terrorism and violent extremism in this sub-region.”
The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), represented by Director of Police Discipline, Ferdinand Uchechukwu Ekpe, stated that no nation can afford to stand alone in the face of threats and insurgency. He noted that a secure and peaceful Nigerian state is necessary for a secure and prosperous West Africa.
In his address, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by Director of Intelligence, Kennedy Zirangey, stressed that the conference came at the right time, as the nation is faced with insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, communal conflicts, and numerous other security challenges, with drug abuse exacerbating all these security threats.
Earlier, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Logistics and Supplies, DIG Hamzat, stated that the convergence of illicit drugs, small arms, and light weapons in the hands of criminal elements continues to fuel organised crime and extremism. He noted that weak border enforcement mechanisms and fragmented intelligence-sharing systems exacerbate the situation.
The theme of the conference is “Stakeholders Conference on Security in Nigeria: A Path to Regional Cooperation.”
