The Northern Consensus Movement for Peace, Unity and Empowerment (NSNCM) has said that it is unfair to blame the insecurity in the Northwest region solely on the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.
In a statement by its President, Comrade Awwal Aliyu Abdullahi. NSNCM, which is an amalgamation of community-based associations from the Northern states and associations of Northerners resident in the southern States and the Federal Capital Territory, responded to a recent statement by the North-West Alliance for Security (NWAS), which called for the immediate resignation of Minister.
NSNCM said that NWAS’ criticism did not aacknowledge the complexities of the issue and the efforts being made to address it. It said that, under Abubakar’s leadership, the Ministry of Defence had implemented various strategies to combat insecurity in the region.
NSNCM said: ‘While we understand the concerns raised by NWAS regarding the insecurity in the North-West region, we cannot help but notice the lack of objectivity and factual basis in their allegations.
‘The North-West region of Nigeria has indeed been plagued by banditry and violent extremism, resulting in loss of lives, displacement of people, and economic hardship.
‘These include enhanced military presence, strategic operations, and community engagement initiatives. While we acknowledge that more needs to be done, it is essential to recognize the progress made so far’.
NSNCM said that the Minister of Defence has also been working closely with other security agencies, state governments, and international partners to address the root causes of insecurity in the region.
The group further said: ‘These efforts include initiatives to promote economic development, improve governance, and enhance security infrastructure.
‘We believe that effective governance is predicated on accountability, and we support the call for accountability in cases of failure. However, we must also acknowledge the successes and challenges faced by our security agencies in combating terrorism and banditry.
‘The Northern Consensus Movement urges caution and restraint in making sweeping statements that could undermine the progress being made in addressing insecurity in the region.
‘We call on all stakeholders, including NWAS, to work together in finding solutions to this complex issue. It is expected that NWAS suggests possible technical and professional solutions to the problem, not a call for removal.
‘It is also our humble opinion that Badaru Abubakar performance and achievement are more pronounced than those of some of his predesesors.
‘While on combat, the efforts of service chiefs under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa should be appreciated and encouraged.
‘The Ministry of Defence has increased troop deployment to the North-West region to combat banditry and violent extremism.Strategic Operations. The Ministry has launched targeted operations to disrupt and dismantle terrorist networks in the region.
‘We commend initiatives, which have been implemented to engage with local communities, which promote dialogue, and build trust between security agencies and the public. Community information and intelligence reports initiative was established for effective planning and execution of operations.
‘The Ministry of Defence has collaborated with international partners to enhance security capacity and address the root causes of insecurity.
”We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue supporting the efforts of the Ministry of Defence and other security agencies in addressing the security challenges facing our nation.
‘We also call on NWAS to reconsider their stance and work towards finding constructive solutions to the issues affecting our region.
‘We reiterate our commitment to promoting peace, security, and development in our region. We believe that through collective effort and responsible leadership, we can overcome the challenges facing our nation and build a brighter future for all Nigerians’.
