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Northern Nigeria's Security Future: CNG Summit Sets Agenda

Katsina City News
12 Oct, 2024
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CNG Hosts Major Security Summit in Katsina to Address Northern Nigeria’s Insecurity

By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar, Katsina Times

In a significant effort to tackle insecurity in Northern Nigeria, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has convened a high-profile summit in Katsina State. The event brought together security experts, political leaders, and religious scholars to explore sustainable solutions to the region's ongoing security challenges.

Dr. Nastura Ashir Sharif, the President of CNG, explained the rationale behind choosing Katsina for the summit, citing the state's proactive stance on security issues, the establishment of the Katsina Security Trust Fund, and the formation of the Katsina Community Watch, a local security initiative aligned with the goals of the summit.

“We consulted with various security agencies, including the Army, Police, DSS, and NIA, alongside retired security experts, to conduct thorough research on how best to resolve the security crisis,” Sharif said. He noted that security experts spent three months examining historical and current strategies, dating back to the colonial era, to develop a comprehensive approach to the problem.

Among the key recommendations from the summit was the need for stronger collaboration between national security leaders, state governors, traditional rulers, religious figures, and civil society groups. Emphasis was placed on the importance of community-level security, where local leaders—such as village heads and community guards—could play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing threats before they escalate.

The summit featured contributions from a wide range of stakeholders, including state representatives, religious leaders, and security experts. Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga, who chaired the event, stressed that Nigeria's current security problems stem from longstanding issues that have plagued the country since its inception. He urged participants to focus on actionable solutions that can bring about lasting peace.

Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, representing Katsina State Governor Malam Dikko Umar Radda, outlined the state government's efforts to create jobs, improve healthcare, and strengthen security as part of its broader strategy to mitigate insecurity. Several prominent figures, including leaders from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, youth organizations, and student unions, also presented their insights on the matter.

Dr. Nastura concluded by highlighting that this summit in Katsina marks the first step in CNG’s larger plan to mobilize communities across Northern Nigeria to safeguard their areas through collaborative efforts between local authorities, traditional rulers, and civil society.