After serving as Chief of Army Staff from July 2015 to January 2021 and currently Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd) on Saturday said the menace of insecurity facing Nigeria would only be solved through the adoption of compressive and integrated approach which would enable the entire society play key roles.
General Buratai, who spoke at a one-day symposium on national security organised by Arewa House in Kaduna with the theme ‘Politics and Insecurity in Nigeria: Way Forward,’ said containment of insecurity and peaceful nation demands everybody’s participation.
He said there are currently various forms of insecurity in different parts of the country such as insurgency in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West, agitations in South East and crude oil bunkering in South-South.
Buratai therefore explained that the comprehensive approach should also entail the involvement of critical stakeholders from the society such as religious leaders, youths, teachers, women, civil society, media, law enforcement as well as the security and intelligence agencies.
The symposium was attended by representatives of heads of military and paramilitary organisations, religious and traditional rulers, academics, among others.
“There is a need for the public to be constantly sensitised and enlightened on their roles as stakeholders in the security architecture of the country through agencies such as the National Orientation Agency, among others,” he said.
Buratai also said that the revitalisation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) would mitigate the challenge of lack of specialised equipment and platforms for the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to curb insecurity.
“This is crucial in meeting the increasing equipment requirements of AFN to confront current and emerging security threats.
“To achieve this, the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with stakeholders, could put structures in place for adequate manpower training for DICON staff.
“This would further enhance their specialised manpower and increase their capacity for production of military hardware for the AFN,” he said.
Buratai further said the ongoing reforms of the Nigerian Police, procurement of modern platforms for intelligence gathering, and effective control of Nigeria’s porous borders would go a long way in achieving the desired security in the country.
Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Abubakar, assured of traditional and religious institutions’ commitment in ensuring they play their strategic roles in achieving a peaceful Nigeria.
Abubakar, represented by Dr. Bello Lafiagi, urged Nigerians to be prayerful and be each other’s brothers’ keepers, by exhibiting a high level of trust and compassion.