Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District Simon Bako says unless the local government system is supported to operate under the autonomy enshrined in the constitution, its capacity to serve as first responder to insecurity will remain a mirage.
Speaking at the official launch of the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative and North Central Peace Summit in Jos organised by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Senator Lalong said all security challenges are local and must be nipped in the bud before they get out of hand.
He said the Supreme Court judgment on the local Government autonomy is one of the ways that the APC administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to address insecurity because the people at the grassroots will have the capacity to deal with security matters with dispatch.
Lalong also submitted that when both kinetic and non kinetic approaches are adopted at the grassroots, criminality will not grow and become a threat to the nation.
He explained that the traditional rulers must also be given a constitutional role to contribute to addressing insecurity which is why the he sponsored the National Council for Traditional Rulers Bill that has passed second reading and awaiting public hearing at the Senate.
Lalong also advised the government to sustain the systems that have been put in place to foster dialogue and reconciliation while also strengthening the capacity of the security agencies to work in harmony and collaboration.
Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen. Christopher Musa said the challenge of insecurity in Nigeria cannot be resolved by kinetic efforts alone, but needs various approaches.
He advocated stronger border control including the fencing of Nigeria’s border to curb illegal entry and cross border crime.
Gen. Musa also advised the political class to take the right decisions and give the proper direction which the armed forces are ready to carry out.
Dr. Mrs Abiodun Essiet Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central) said the event was organised as part of tackling insecurity which has bedevilled the region.
The event was attended by traditional rulers from various parts of the region.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Special Adviser Media to Senator Simon Bako Lalong, Plateau South Senatorial District.
5th June 2025.
