Governors from the North-west have pledged to work together and adopt a common approach in tackling security challenges bedevilling the region.

Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, said this during the inauguration of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guard (ZSCPG), on Wednesday in Gusau.

He said that banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other criminal activities had engulfed the region in the past 10 years.

According to Radda, effective synergy and the adoption of common approach by the states will go a long way towards addressing insecurity and foster relative peace in the region.

“We have agreed to commit ourselves in fighting banditry and other crimes, and say no to negotiations with any criminal, but those who surrendered and embrace peace would be integrated into the community,” Radda said.

The Zamfara governor, Dauda Lawal said they would work collectively to address insecurity and socio-economic problems in the region.

He said that his administration had trained 2,646 members of the community guard corps to fight crimes in Zamfara in collaboration with the neighboring states.

Also speaking, Gen. Ali Gusau (rtd), lauded the initiative, adding that it would bring peace to the region.

“I am here as a father in the state and non partisan, who believes in the security and wellbeing of Nigerians, I see the governors’ approach to the socio-economic challenges of the states as a welcome development.

“A country like Nigeria with large land area and a population of over 200 million with porous borders is difficult to secure, so community engagement approach is needed to support the fight,” he said.

He urged security agencies to support the initiative by engaging the community guard corps in operations as well as intelligence gathering and sharing.

Gusau also called on community, religious and political leaders to support the initiative to ensure success of the fight against crimes.

The event was attended by the governors of Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Kaduna States. (Vanguard)

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