Stakeholders brainstorm on Trans Sahara Counterterrorism in Sokoto

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –

A Non Governmental Organization, NEEM Foundation on Wednesday organized a one day dialogue on Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism in the North Western states of Nigeria.

The meeting which brought together Sokoto State actors, was aimed at promoting civilian security in the northwestern region. The theme of the dialogue was titled: State Actors Buy-in and Collaboration”.

Stating the objectives of the Trans- Saharan Counterterrorism Project, Mrs Abah Comfort, the Programme Officer from NEEM Foundation, noted amongst others that, it is aimed at promoting civilian security in the Northwestern region of Nigeria through, “dialogue, early warning, early warning, early response, economic and support to community members”.

While appealing for a participatory session to enable them profile workable solutions to the multiple degrees of insecurity confronting the society and the North Western region of the country, Mrs Abah Comfort noted that they are also working on, “Prevent and Protect and GBV in addition to Trans Saharan Counterterrorism.

Mrs Abah, who decried the disturbing trend of banditry, kidnappings, cattle rustling as well as consistent crisis between farmers and herders, assured that the project is centered on building trust and increase service provision in communities at risk of recruitment of violent extremism through increased collaboration between state and non state actors.

She also added that NEEM Foundation Project has set up peace and reconciliation committee in 4 communities of Sokoto, targeted 80 communities, trained 60 community members on early warning and violence deescalation.

Mrs Abah further said the project has provided livelihood support for 30 vulnerable people, engage 15 others in youths and women at risk entrepreneurship skill training amongst others.

One of the participants, who is the Sokoto State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Muhammed Mainasara, said in his presentation that there should be hard and soft security measures towards addressing the security challenges of the region.

Hon. Mainasara said the soft security measures can only be carried out by the locals themselves while the security agencies carry out the hard measures.

He urged the citizens to always know their neighbour as the best option to forestalling insecurity.

In his views on the second panel discussion with the topic, “State Actors Role in Promoting Civilian Security, Malam Mohammed Maigero, the Sokoto State Sharia Director from the Ministry of Religious Affairs suggested that youths empowerment, addressing issue of porous borders in the region as well as increasing sensitization amongst herders/farmers can bring about peaceful coexistence.

Participants at the one day workshop included – traditional, religious leaders, security agencies, representatives of Miyetti Allah , Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Sokoto Youth Council, Vigilante Group, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise, and that of State Emergency Management Agency and select journalists.