Northern Govs Summoned To US For Crisis Talks On Insecurity

10 governors from Northwest and North-central Nigeria invited
Symposium aims to address drivers of insecurity and promote peace
Economic cooperation and investment opportunities also on agenda

Eko Hot Blog reports that, in a significant move to address the escalating security challenges plaguing Northern Nigeria, the Africa Centre at the United States Institute of Peace has extended invitations to ten state governors for a high-level symposium on peace and security.

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The event, scheduled to take place from April 23 to 25 in Washington, aims to foster dialogue and collaboration in mitigating the region’s volatile security situation.

According to a statement issued by Ibrahim Kaula, the Chief Press Secretary to Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, the governors invited hail from the conflict-ridden Northwest and North-central regions of the country. Alongside Governor Radda, the list includes Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Mohammed Bago (Niger), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau).

The symposium’s primary objective is to address the urgent security challenges faced by the region, recognizing the vital role played by state governors in mitigating threats and promoting peace. Kaula emphasized that the event intends to enhance the governors’ capacity in conflict prevention and peacebuilding across Nigeria through dialogue and collaboration.

“The Africa Center seeks to empower governors to address the underlying causes of instability and strengthen peacebuilding initiatives at local and state levels,” Kaula stated, adding that the northern governors and other participants will engage in panel discussions focusing on the drivers of insecurity and opportunities for stabilization.

Moreover, a dedicated panel discussion will explore “Enhancing Commercial Business and Bilateral Trade Between Nigeria and the US,” aimed at fostering cooperation among the governors, Nigerian civil society organizations, private enterprises, and the global community to attract investments, create job opportunities, and promote economic growth.

Several states in the Northwest and North-central regions have grappled with relentless attacks from bandits, who frequently target villages and towns to steal livestock, plunder food supplies, and abduct locals for ransom. Some states have also witnessed large-scale abductions of students from educational institutions, exacerbating the region’s security crisis.

As the federal government intensifies efforts to secure the release of abducted individuals, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, recently announced that over 1,000 individuals abducted in Northern Nigeria have been freed over the past 10 months.