The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), on Thursday, noted that the Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, will chair a two-day roundtable discussion on rising insecurity in the country.

The coalition also said that the region has become a breeding ground for insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and various other criminal activities.

The National Coordinator of CNG, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, who disclosed this in Abuja, at the press briefing, said that for the past two decades, Northern Nigeria has been grappling with a series of security challenges that have inflicted immense suffering on its people.

He noted that lack of political will and capacity to effectively contain these challenges has created a vacuum, leaving thousands dead, countless displaced, and numerous communities destroyed.

He explained that the roundtable discussion aims to review and provide input into a multidimensional approach to tackling insecurity in the region.

Charanchi said: “In the end, a roundtable discussion was proposed that will review and provide input into the operational framework for a multidimensional approach to tackling the security challenges in the region, developed by the Technical Committee of Experts.

“The roundtable will bring together frontline Northern States Governors, National Security Chiefs, heads of security agencies, academics, policymakers, security experts, justices and judicial officers, traditional rulers, clerics, and other critical stakeholders.

“The aim is to develop strategies for collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities, as well as the involvement of the general public.

“The outcome of the roundtable will be a module to democratize the security project by engaging individuals and communities, as well as various stakeholders, to take ownership of the security efforts in the region.

“The discussion will include four syndicate sessions and an interactive session with state governors, security chiefs, and heads of security agencies. These sessions will provide a platform for in-depth discussions, knowledge sharing, and the formulation of actionable strategies.

“The roundtable will take place from the 24th to 25th of January 2024, at the Nigerian Army Resource Center in Asokoro, Abuja. Various committees, including a sub-technical committee on security and a planning committee on security, have been formed to oversee the event.”

He said the committee which has been working for the past three months, examined the inadequate response to the security crisis, highlighting the absence of synergy among security agencies, the lack of cooperation between the states and federal government, and the neglect of public involvement in combating these issues.

Sub-technical committee on security members are: Maj Gen (Rtd.) SarkinYaki Bello, Chairman; ADG (Rtd.) Ibrahim Ahmad Katsina, Vice Chairman.

Other members are: Brig Gen (Rtd.) Abubakar Hanafi Saad; CG (Rtd.) Abdullahi Gana Muhammed; AVM (Rtd.) Monday Riku Morgan; Alhaji Salisu Muhammad; CG (Rtd.) Muhammed Babandede; Hadi U. Sudawa DIS (Rtd);

Hassan A. Zungeru State Commander Narcotics; Col. (Rtd). Okojokwu Kennedy Ogbole; ACG (Rtd.) Bashir Abubakar MFR; Cdre (Rtd.) David D. Nabaida; AIG (Rtd.) Paul Yakadi; CP (Rtd.) Hassan Zakari Biu; Engr. Agaba Ikwue (FNSE); Dr. Aminu Idris, secretary.

Planning committee on security: Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim; Amb. Buhari Bala; Dr. Nastura Ashir Shariff; Prof. Yusuf Adamu Tsafe; Alhaji Jamilu Aliyu Charanci; Dr. Muhammad Bello Nawaila; Alhaji Aminu Adam; Abdul-Azeez Suleiman; Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Dasuki; Aminu Adamu Naganye; Hussaini Ibrahim; Muhammed A. Muhammed.