Government sets up Committee on North-East security challenges

Government sets up Committee on North-East security challenges
Hauwa Noroh Ali, Abuja

The Nigerian government has inaugurated an eight-member Presidential Committee on Security Challenges in the North-East Zone.

The Secretary to the Nigeria government, Mr Anyim Pius Anyim, in Abuja inaugurated the eight-member Committee on Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Members of the Committee are Amb. Usman Galtimari (Chairman), Abdullahi Shehu (Secretary), Sen. Mohammed Ndume, Mr Joe Gadzama (SAN) and retired Col. Musa Shehu. Others are Sen. Bala Mohammed, the FCTA Minister, Dr Bello Mohammed, the Minister of Defence and Mr Emeka Wogu, the Minister of Labour and Productivity.

Finding lasting solutions

Anyim said the inauguration of the committee was as a result of the meeting President Goodluck Jonathan held with the elders from Borno and the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum.

He said it had become imperative to create a forum that would give the elders and the public a role in finding a lasting solution to the security situation in Borno and some parts of the North.

Anyim explained that it was the belief of the president that the security of the country should be the concern of everyone, and had decided to set up the committee as a way of involving all the key stakeholders.

“The central purpose of the committee is to create a forum whereby every person who  has a suggestion on the way forward should come forward without restriction reach out to the committee with ease” he further explained.

Other responsibilities of the committee

The committee's term of reference is to review all issues of security challenges in the zone and proffer solution/recommendations which will bring a speedy resolution of the crisis.

It is also to serve as a liaison between the Federal and the state government, where necessary, and liaise with the National Security Adviser to ensure that security agencies discharge their assignments optimally with professionalism.

The committee will consult with stakeholders from time to time for suggestions, and ascertain the true state of affairs as well as consider any other initiative that will serve to engender enduring peace and security in the area.

Anyim stressed that the job of the committee was restricted to fact-finding, and not negotiation with the Boko Haram sect, which he described as a faceless group.

Charting quick resolution

In his response, Galtimari assured government that the committee would diligently address the grievances of all the parties, and make recommendations for quick resolution of the crisis.

He appealed to all the parties to accept the peace process, and assured the leadership of the ‘Jamatul Ahlan Sunna Lid dawati wal Jihad’ that all their rights and privileges would be guaranteed, promising that nobody would be harassed or molested

“The members of the Sect are our children and grandchildren they should appreciate the fact that the government is not against them and the society is not at war with them.

Every Nigerian wants them to be peaceful members of the nation who would contribute to the peace stability and progress of Nigeria. I am sure they too have the same feelings, so let us join our initiatives and efforts to see that we embrace peace,” Galtimari noted.

Williams