Northern Govs forum reschedules regional security meeting

A planned meeting of the 19 northern state governors has been put on hold because governors from the seven north-west states had another security engagement to attend.

The meeting, organised by the Northern Governors Forum, was meant to hold in Kaduna on November 29 and was expected to focus on the fresh wave of terrorist attacks affecting parts of the region.

Communities in Niger, Kebbi and Kwara states have recently witnessed new attacks, with increased cases of kidnapping raising public concern.

According to information gathered by Very Nigerian, the north-west governors are currently in a security meeting with the Senate committee, discussing the ongoing threats facing the zone.

The discussions aim to improve cooperation between state governments and federal security agencies, boost intelligence sharing and speed up response efforts against banditry and terrorism.

The postponement comes days after the 19 northern governors announced plans to meet to deliberate on the escalating insecurity.

Peter Ahemba, senior special assistant on public affairs to Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, had said the meeting was designed to chart a collective security strategy and agree on a harmonised plan of action.

Ahemba added that leading traditional rulers were invited to join the session.

“The meeting aims to develop a unified approach to tackling security concerns affecting the region and discuss the way forward on security matters,” he said.

“It is the duty of citizens to help deal with security threats in our country and state.

“Therefore, citizens must do well by providing security agencies with relevant information about individuals with criminal tendencies.”

The northern region has witnessed a rise in kidnappings and killings in recent weeks, including two high-profile attacks involving schoolchildren.

While rescue missions by security agencies have intensified, some abductees have been released, although several remain in captivity.

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