By Olatunji Omirin

Copyright businessday

Umar Kyari Umar El-kanemi, the Shehu of Bama, has called on Federal Government to take decisive actions against terrorists and other insecurity elements by providing adequate manpower to strengthen the capacity of troops prosecuting the war.

Shehu noted that though the troops had recorded tremendous success in counter-insurgency operations but there is need for troops to sustain the current tempo through modern hardware.

Shehu was represented by Kaka Mallam Kiagama, District Head Soye in Bama town during an event organised by the Centre for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI), in partnership with JAMI AL-HAKEEM and with support from the UNDP-PBF project held to commemorate the International Day of Peace in Bama council area of Borno State at the weekend.

The event brought together youths, women, traditional leaders, and community-based groups to reflect on the importance of peace, dialogue, and reconciliation in a community that had long been affected by conflict and instability.

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He said, “We have alot injuries but thanks be to Allah now we have peace in Bama and its environs except pockets of minor attacks. As you known, Bama town was worst hit by insurgents but thanks to Allah, the peace has restored through the efforts of military and prayers by our religious leaders.

“We are calling on Federal government to support us more in term of security. We federal government to take issues of security serious and let the government be serious, it is not a joke. We urge federal government to support the security agencies with right and timely manpower because without adequate manpower they won’t be able to function well.”

He urged the religious leaders and stakeholders to support the troops with prayers and useful information in their domain, “Security is everyone business so it our responsibility as traditional rulers to support troops fighting terrorism to be victorious against our enemies”, he noted.

Shehu thanked the organisers for the laudable initiatives tailored towards peace-building and cooperation among security agencies and the communities, urging all the stakeholders to preach peace and support the security agencies in the State.

Also, Sadiq Abubakar, the Centre for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI), explained that the commemoration of World Peace Day aims to foster unity, promote awareness of peaceful coexistence and highlight the active role of youths and women in driving local peace-building initiatives.

He said, “We are creating this inclusive space, the event is expected to deepen community awareness on peace values, empower participants to take ownership of local initiatives, and serve as a catalyst for sustained dialogue in Bama.

“It will also raise visibility of grassroots peacebuilding efforts supported under the PBF-UNDP project, inspiring similar actions in other conflict-affected areas of Northeast Nigeria.”