Presidency on Sunday announced fresh security arrangements between the Muhammadu Buhari led federal government and some Northwestern state governments to tackle insecurity in the North East.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the administration is pursuing an urgent revamp of the national security apparatus in the subregion following the infiltration of bandits into areas, otherwise secure.
This is coming on the heels of the recent of the killing of 34 persons in an attack on Tungar Kafau and Gidan Wawa communities in Shinkafi Local Government Areas of Zamfara.
President Buhari, who expressed sorrow over the renewed attacks extended his sympathies to the governments and people of Sokoto and Zamfara states and charged all stakeholders, made up of the federal security agencies and the states involved in drawing up the long-term strategic defence plan to begin its immediate implementation.
Under the plan, states are joining the federal government in supporting the security and military operations by providing logistical support. States are providing additional vehicles in addition to those provided from the center.
The federal government is establishing new forward operation bases and when all of these come together, the ongoing operations will be scaled up.
The National Emergency Management Agency,NEMA and the various State Emergency Management Agencies, SEMA are expected to streamline their operations to provide succor to displaced persons, thousands of whom are taking refuge in the neighboring Niger Republic.
The full implementation of the plan is expected to provide security for residents to return to deserted communities.
“President Buhari assures once again the his administration is fully conscious of its responsibility of protecting the life and property of citizens and will not fail in that regard,” Presidency stated.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
