The Chairman Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, has advocated for more synergy between the European Union and Federal Government, to roundly tackle the myriad of security challenges currently plaguing various parts of Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement by the Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to Sen. Wamakko, Malam Bashir Mani, issued to newsmen in Sokoto on Friday.
Wamakko (APC- Sokoto), spoke at his Gawon Nama residence, in Sokoto state, when he received the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlsen, on a courtesy visit.
The lawmaker lauded the European Union for its sustained technical and financial support to Nigeria, and called for more synergy in the area of security.
Wamakko attributed the pervading security problems in the country, partly to Nigeria’s porous borders which allowed influx of people into the country unchecked.
“Many people are routinely crossing into the country with anything unchecked, especially that, Nigeria shares so many common borders with her closest neighbours, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin Republics.
The Senator urged border communities to help government with useful information to prevent criminals from infiltrating into the country.
“Communities have vital roles to play, by providing useful credible intelligence information to the security agencies, so as to checkmate the security threats facing the nation, once and for all,” he said.
According to him patriotic and well-meaning citizens of the country can also play crucial invaluable roles in redressing the obnoxious trend.
Wamakko expressed optimism that, with the sustained efforts of the Federal Government in fighting the menace, the problem of insecurity will soon be history.
He also sought for workable and mutual collaboration between the various security agencies in Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara in tackling banditry the four states.
“If their operations can be effectively harmonised through routine intelligence sharing, most of the security challenges in the nation would fizzle out.
“I am also suggesting a dialogue between the various stakeholders, as a way of curbing the insecurity pandemic in the country.
“Another solution to the security challenges is for Nigerians to come together as one family, to find lasting solutions to the problems.
“Synergy is of paramount importance towards tackling the raging security problems, at all levels in Nigeria,” he added.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, said the visit was to seek for more areas of collaboration between Nigeria and European Union, in tackling the emerging security challenges facing the country.
“I decided to meet with you as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence towards finding solutions, to further stem the tide of insecurity in Nigeria,” Karlsen said.
He, however, added that, based on the reports received by the EU, the hitherto precarious security situation in the country was fast improving. (NAN)
