North under existential threat, says Dambazau
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has declared that no part of Kebbi State is under the bandits occupation, assuring that the state has taken measures to safeguard all citizens.
However, in spite of the assurance, former Chief of Army Staff, and Minister of Interior, retired General Abdulrahman Dambazau, said the North is facing existential threats and urged leaders to stop taking the issue of insecurity lightly.
Both spoke on Monday in Birnin Kebbi at the opening of a summit on media and security organised by Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners’ Forum, with the theme “Existential Threats and National Security.”
In his keynote address, Gen. Dambazau warned that the threats would completely destabilise the region and the country if not urgently addressed.
“When the North shakes, Nigeria trembles,” he said, urging leaders to move beyond rhetoric and confront the realities threatening the region’s survival.
He identified the major drivers of insecurity as poverty, illiteracy, poor healthcare, extremism, and the erosion of moral and family values.
In his remarks, Governor Idris said although he inherited some security challenges, considerable progress has been made in addressing them through several strategic steps to safeguard lives and property.
He explained that bandits use Kebbi as a transit operational route, striking and fleeing into neighbouring states.
“We are doing our utmost to tackle the issue of the Lakurawa bandits with renewed vigour and commitment. These marauding bandits will never be allowed to operate with impunity,” he added.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, also urged leaders at all levels to treat security with utmost seriousness.
