•Charges Tinubu to take decisive action
By Chukwuma Umeorah
Nigeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has identified Nigeria’s porous borders as a significant contributory factor to the country’s security challenges.
Speaking at the 15th Founder’s Day of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) over the weekend, Gowon expressed deep concern over the escalating incidents of banditry, kidnappings, and violence.
Underscoring the critical role of border security, he emphasised the imperative of strengthening border security measures to prevent external threats, and deter the infiltration of criminal elements from neighboring countries.
“Our borders are very porous. Take the North West to the North East, that is close to a thousand miles, some of the perpetrators of these heinous acts are from across the border. We must identify these elements and deal with them. I think we should have more security manpower on standby with adequate infrastructure to ensure that our borders are well guarded in case of any eventuality.”
In addition to strengthened border security, he advised President Bola Tinubu to take decisive actions by convening a stakeholders’ meeting, involving key security agencies, community leaders, and religious heads, where everyone can contribute ideas and devise strategy that is most effective at tackling the insecurity situation in the country. “Nigerians cannot continue to die like this,” he noted.
Gowon also urged Nigerians to support the efforts of the military and law enforcement agencies in combating insecurity. “Yes, I believe the military and police are doing their best, but the people themselves and the community have to help in the war against insecurity by relaying important information to the security agencies as best as possible,” he said.
He also advised the use of non-kinetic approaches such as the Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (3Rs) initiative he proposed after the civil war in 1970.
On his part, the General Secretary of the BSN, Pastor Samuel Sanusi, identified poverty and social injustice as contributors to the state of insecurity in Nigeria, even as he stressed that such issues should be addressed squarely to witness progress as a nation.
“The issue of security, social injustice, and poverty, should be a thing of concern for all of us as Nigerians and not just the government alone. As citizens, whatever that is going on in our country should be in our interest. We advise the government of the day to do all they can to end poverty, and bring about social justice. This is because it is only when there is peace that we can have progress and prosperity. This is what we desire as Nigerians, irrespective of political differences, tribe or religious beliefs.”