AMINA ANEBI, Kaduna
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has declared that no fewer than 30,000 insurgents and their family members have so far surrendered.
He also called on all stakeholders for engagement on current security challengies in the North-West geo-political zone.
Boss Mustapha disclosed this during a stakeholders engagement meeting on the current security challenges facing the North-West, on Tuesday at Arewa House.
Mustapha was warmly welcomed by all present at the stakeholders’ meeting to engage on current security challenges in the North West Geo-Political Zone, holding in Kaduna, Kaduna State.
He said that over 30,000 Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents and their families had surrendered in the North-East.
He said threats of the separatists in the South-East and South-South had also reduced.
“You are also aware that this administration has taken far-reaching measures to tackle insecurity in the country.
“Some of the measures include; increase in budgetary allocation as well as shoring up of the equipment of the m,ilitary and other security agencies.
According to the SGF, approval was granted for the recruitment of 10,000 police personnel for three consecutive years, while their salaries had been upwardly reviewed to boost morale.
To this end, he said, “the insurgents in the North-East have been decimated considerably”, adding, “over 30,000 insurgents and their families have so far surrendered.”
He also said the threats of the separatists in the South-East and parts of South-South geo-political zones have reduced in traction.
Mustapha alluded that “the waters are now calm and we no longer receive reports of daily attacks by insurgent and kidnappers.”
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is therefore gratifying to note that the security situation has relatively improved across all parts of the country,” he stressed.
In his welcome address, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, had said the state government awakened the security consciousness of its citizens, by making sure they realise that bandits do not care about religion or ethnicity.
“The insecurity we face is plain criminality. Terrorists are a threat to humanity in general and can only be defeated if we come together with adequate focus to confront them.”
Aruwan noted: “When security issues are unfortunately politicised, criminal elements are emboldened and are provided with a shield to deepen criminality and proliferate their inhuman acts.”