Insurgency in Northern Nigeria will soon end, says president Buhari
Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, has said that his administration new ways to tackle insecurity and insurgency in the Northeastern part of the country.
The president on Wednesday spoke at the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East of Nigeria, which preceded the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the presidential villa, Abuja.
He pledged that the region will witness a change in the coming months, as peace and development will soon insurgency.
He said: “At the advent of this administration in 2015, I pledged to Nigerians that I will restore peace in the North-East and return it to the path of development and growth. I remain committed to this promise.
“To the people of the North-East, particularly the children and future of the North-East, we will never forget you and your courage, sacrifice and endurance have been exemplary.
“I pledge to you that in the coming months you will begin to witness a shift away from a protracted insurgency to peacebuilding, stabilization, and ultimately development in your respective communities as we embark on a revised approach to addressing this conflict….”
The president stressed that the committee’s terms of reference entail a shift from managing the situation to activating a permanent solution for effective and practicable restoration.
He said the committee, among others, is expected to develop a concise three-year action plan by the end of March 2022 that incorporates national and state-level plans, providing a clear pathway for the restoration of peace and development in the North-East.
According to him, the committee will also develop and implement a phased plan for the repatriation, returns, resettlement of IDPs and restoration of livelihoods, incorporating global best practices that give dignity to the affected populations.
He added that it will also be responsible for the development and implementation of a coordinated peacebuilding and reconciliation programme that is culturally appropriate and community-driven.
He charged the committee members to adopt the guiding principles of accountability, delineation of duty and community-driven methods to address issues.
The members of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East are the ministers of finance, budget & national planning; attorney general of the federation and minister of justice; humanitarian affairs, disaster management & social development; interior; foreign affairs and defence.
Others are the national security adviser, inspector-general of police, chief of defence staff, director general, state security, director-general, national intelligence agency, director-general, North-East Development Commission, federal commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants & Internally Displaced Persons, Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency and Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Speaking to correspondents later, Zulum expressed delight over the committee’s inauguration as he said that displaced persons will now be repatriated and the issue of repentant Boko Haram insurgents further addressed.
He said: “Indeed, we are so much happy, especially those of us that are in the North East because thousands of people were displaced, some are taking refuge in the Republic of Chad, in the Republic of Niger, Cameroon. And this is the time that the federal government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the state government, of the North East, will facilitate the repatriation of the internally displaced persons that are living in our neighbouring countries to Nigeria.
“The committee is also to look into the management of the repentant Boko Haram members.
“So, indeed, we are so grateful and the entire northeastern government will give maximum support to this committee. We will provide the necessary support to the federal government under the Distinguished Leadership of Mr President, we shall provide on support and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and others and the military to ensure that this process yields the desired result,” Zulum added.
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