G-7 States Parley against Banditry, Herders’ Attacks in FCT, Neighbouring States

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Technical Committee of G-7 states, comprising the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau States, yesterday in Abuja discussed strategies to tackle banditry, herders-farmers clashes and other cross-border security challenges.

The committee comprised of the states’ commissioners of police, states’ directors of the Department of State Security Services, and commandants of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Security, FCT Administration, Mr. Olusade Adesola, noted that the G-7 provided an opportunity for intelligence gathering, sharing and joint-border operations.

The permanent secretary, who was represented by the acting secretary, the Agric and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, Mr. Ishaq Sadeeq, said the goal was to address criminality and security challenges bedevilling the seven-member states.

He said the G-7 states technical committee meeting was convened to tackle the recent upsurge of criminal elements traversing the FCT and member states.

Adesola said the G-7 states would periodically hold joint meetings to appraise the prevailing security challenges and articulate an agenda of action for implementation. 

According to him, “Security, as we are all aware, is a fundamental pillar upon which any thriving society is built, and an essential component that ensures the safety, well-being, and prosperity of our residents.

 “In recognition of this fact, the FCT Administration has consistently prioritised the platform for the enhancement of security measures within our territory and beyond.”

He charged members of the committee to come up with adaptable strategies in combating cross-border crimes and deploy the same for the safety and security of the FCT and the neighbouring states.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee, Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Mr. Haruna Garba, said the G-7 was initiated in 2007 by the then Minister of the FCT, Dr. Modibbo Umar, to address crimes that was plaguing the FCT and its contiguous states.

He said: “The idea was for the states to pull their resources both man and materials, together to fight the criminals simultaneously,” adding that the G7 platform provided a unique opportunity to reinforce collective efforts and chart a way forward for better results.

This, he said, would not only mitigate existing threats to the collective survival of the FCT and the contiguous states, but also prevent future ones.