The Governors of the North-East region in Nigeria have expressed concerns over the increasing banditry in the region. They accused some traditional rulers and local authorities in the six states of collaborating with the bandits, which has resulted in violence against innocent citizens. The governors made these observations during their 8th Meeting held in Maiduguri, Borno State.
They noted that the aggressive military operations against bandits in other parts of the country had pushed the bandits to move towards the North-East region. Bauchi, Gombe, and Taraba States, which were previously unaffected by banditry, are now facing increased security challenges.
The governors called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to address the rising banditry in the region.
They expressed concerns about the proliferation of legal and illegal mining in the region, linking it to insecurity. They emphasized the need for compliance with mining policies and land use regulations.
Climate change and environmental degradation were highlighted as significant issues affecting the subregion. Flooding, river siltation, and deforestation have led to property damage and loss of livelihoods. The governors called for federal intervention in desilting rivers and stricter regulation of deforestation.
The governors resolved to support initiatives like the Global Initiative of Carbon Credit and the Great Green Wall to mitigate the impact of climate change in the North-East.
It’s worth noting that the governors are taking these issues seriously and are seeking the federal government’s assistance in addressing the security and environmental challenges facing their region.