The
Northern State Governors’ Forum (NSGF) Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and
Security has recommended that the Federal Government should mandate security
agencies to unmask individuals and groups using Boko Haram as a franchise to
settle political and economic scores.
Northern State Governors’ Forum (NSGF) Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and
Security has recommended that the Federal Government should mandate security
agencies to unmask individuals and groups using Boko Haram as a franchise to
settle political and economic scores.
The panel, however, asked the Federal Government to end alleged
impunity within security forces and review its counter-insurgency strategy to
protect innocent citizens.
impunity within security forces and review its counter-insurgency strategy to
protect innocent citizens.
It demanded the establishment of special border patrol units,
consisting of a combined operation of military, immigration and customs,
to check influx of aliens promoting insurgency.
consisting of a combined operation of military, immigration and customs,
to check influx of aliens promoting insurgency.
It also urged Northern governors to abolish all discriminatory
state policies towards religious groups.
state policies towards religious groups.
These recommendations are the highlights of the report of the
panel which was submitted to the Chairman of the NSGF, Governor Babangida
Aliyu, in Kaduna on Thursday.
panel which was submitted to the Chairman of the NSGF, Governor Babangida
Aliyu, in Kaduna on Thursday.
The panel was headed by a former Director-General of the
National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim.
National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim.
In the report, exclusively obtained by our correspondent, the
panel asked Northern governors to carry out a comprehensive assessment of
losses and damages to insurgency between 2007 and 2012.
panel asked Northern governors to carry out a comprehensive assessment of
losses and damages to insurgency between 2007 and 2012.
It made a strong case for compensation to victims of violence in
the North in the last five years.
the North in the last five years.
The report said: “Security agencies must work to unmask and
bring to justice the individuals and groups using the Boko Haram
insurgency as a franchise for political violence, economic rivalry and criminal
activities in the states in the North.
bring to justice the individuals and groups using the Boko Haram
insurgency as a franchise for political violence, economic rivalry and criminal
activities in the states in the North.
“The NSGF should liaise with the Federal Government of Nigeria
to end impunity within the security forces by undertaking a review of its
counter-insurgency strategy and conducting independent investigations and
expediting the prosecution of cases of those against whom there is
evidence in accordance with the tenets of the rule of law.
to end impunity within the security forces by undertaking a review of its
counter-insurgency strategy and conducting independent investigations and
expediting the prosecution of cases of those against whom there is
evidence in accordance with the tenets of the rule of law.
“Restoration of confidence in government and the justice system
as well as compliance with the rules of engagement
as well as compliance with the rules of engagement
“This is urgent and must be sustained. Accountability of
officers or institutions must be demonstrated to the full extent of the
law in line with natural justice, equity and good conscience.
officers or institutions must be demonstrated to the full extent of the
law in line with natural justice, equity and good conscience.
“The NSGF should demand for the immediate release of innocent
persons (individuals and institution representatives) from detention centres
across the country, as well as where appropriate, to expedite the completion of
investigations for prosecutions.
persons (individuals and institution representatives) from detention centres
across the country, as well as where appropriate, to expedite the completion of
investigations for prosecutions.
“There most be enforcement of the rule of law and accountability
standards. This is a priority if the trust and confidence of any aggrieved
party is to be gained for sustainable peace.
standards. This is a priority if the trust and confidence of any aggrieved
party is to be gained for sustainable peace.
“A letter may be written to Mr. President conveying the demand
and relevant government and civil society entities copied in.”
and relevant government and civil society entities copied in.”
The panel asked Northern governors to prevail on the Federal
Government to ameliorate the conditions of victims of counter-insurgency
against Boko Haram.
Government to ameliorate the conditions of victims of counter-insurgency
against Boko Haram.
The report added: “The NSGF should demand of the Federal
Government to assume its responsibility to ameliorate the condition of victims
of collateral damage arising from the counter -insurgency operations
Government to assume its responsibility to ameliorate the condition of victims
of collateral damage arising from the counter -insurgency operations
“To ensure accountability of the Central Government
to the acts of commission and omission of security agents. This
recommendation is in line with international best practice. It is also in
cognizance of the constitutional responsibility where deployment and
control of security apparatus is the exclusive preserve of the Federal
Government.”
to the acts of commission and omission of security agents. This
recommendation is in line with international best practice. It is also in
cognizance of the constitutional responsibility where deployment and
control of security apparatus is the exclusive preserve of the Federal
Government.”
The panel, however, urged Northern governors to raise an
independent body to facilitate dialogue and reunite Northerners.
independent body to facilitate dialogue and reunite Northerners.
It said: “To chart a common vision for the development and
unity of the Northern Region, The NSGF should facilitate the emergence of
an independent body to promptly facilitate dialogue/mediation/
reconciliation among all aggrieved groups.
unity of the Northern Region, The NSGF should facilitate the emergence of
an independent body to promptly facilitate dialogue/mediation/
reconciliation among all aggrieved groups.
“The body/membership of the NSGF Committee could (on voluntary
terms) form the nucleus of this independent body.
terms) form the nucleus of this independent body.
“The NSGF should, therefore, extend recognition and liberty to
the committee to undertake the complementary interventions that support any
other in initiative of the NSGF. Activities proposed here are for an inaugural
meeting and one meeting by the end of 2013.
the committee to undertake the complementary interventions that support any
other in initiative of the NSGF. Activities proposed here are for an inaugural
meeting and one meeting by the end of 2013.
“The NSGF should convene a high-powered dialogue of key
stakeholders of the North. This dialogue could be facilitated by a post
-implementation committee or coordinating group with a specific mandate
from the NSGF.
stakeholders of the North. This dialogue could be facilitated by a post
-implementation committee or coordinating group with a specific mandate
from the NSGF.
“Among those to be invited are key actors, past and present, in
the judiciary, executive, legislature and organized private sector.
the judiciary, executive, legislature and organized private sector.
“The NSGF should promote interstate visits, dialogue and co
-operation among governors. The NSGF may consider hosting its earliest
statutory meeting in Borno during which both Borno and Yobe states can be
visited. Subsequently the meeting rotates to Bauchi or Plateau such that
two states can be covered at any meeting.
-operation among governors. The NSGF may consider hosting its earliest
statutory meeting in Borno during which both Borno and Yobe states can be
visited. Subsequently the meeting rotates to Bauchi or Plateau such that
two states can be covered at any meeting.
“The NSGF should promote the culture of exchange of visits
among top-class traditional rulers; the students exchange programmes and
other business and agricultural groupings.
among top-class traditional rulers; the students exchange programmes and
other business and agricultural groupings.
“The budgetary implication of this should be part sponsored by
the NSGF and the structure of the hosting community/institutional/social
platform.
the NSGF and the structure of the hosting community/institutional/social
platform.
“State governments should also embark on symbolic reparation
by extending psychological and social support to victims, including
erecting headstones, building memorials, renaming public facilities and
establishing days of remembrance.
by extending psychological and social support to victims, including
erecting headstones, building memorials, renaming public facilities and
establishing days of remembrance.
“Initiate a comprehensive study on the damages and
losses incurred as a result of violence throughout the region in the last
five years (2007-2012) to document and guide the provision of token monetary
and non -monetary relief.
losses incurred as a result of violence throughout the region in the last
five years (2007-2012) to document and guide the provision of token monetary
and non -monetary relief.
The panel came up with 22-point solutions to the crisis in
the North.
the North.
The report added: “The NSGF should implement this recommendation
in phases as follows:
in phases as follows:
•First, commission a desk review/audit of documentation of
losses and recommendations for compensation from previous reports/white papers
to generate data for concrete and symbolic actions.
losses and recommendations for compensation from previous reports/white papers
to generate data for concrete and symbolic actions.
•Commission study into whole regime of violence to guide the
establishment of long-term structures/interventions, including
establishing a Rehabilitation Fund under the aegis of sons and daughters of the
North and with contributions from all levels of government, the private sector,
donor agencies and individuals.
establishment of long-term structures/interventions, including
establishing a Rehabilitation Fund under the aegis of sons and daughters of the
North and with contributions from all levels of government, the private sector,
donor agencies and individuals.
•Sponsor 10,000 youths from each of the 19 northern states
within a year for leadership and development training.
within a year for leadership and development training.
•Engender rehabilitation, de-radicalization, empowerment and
inculcation of positive family values
inculcation of positive family values
•Preparations and logistics for this can be done in 2013 with a
strengthening of any existing youth empowerment initiatives. In 2014, the
budgetary provisions for this can be made and the first batch of trainees
enroll and graduate in 2014. Batch will be admitted in the 1st quarter of 2016.
strengthening of any existing youth empowerment initiatives. In 2014, the
budgetary provisions for this can be made and the first batch of trainees
enroll and graduate in 2014. Batch will be admitted in the 1st quarter of 2016.
•Put in place mechanisms for regulating registration of
marriages and the reckless abuse of divorce to protect and preserve
family values and the sanctity of marriage.
marriages and the reckless abuse of divorce to protect and preserve
family values and the sanctity of marriage.
•Each state government should secure existing grazing
reserves, and where expedient, create new ones, thereby, defining their own
cattle grazing routes which will then be harmonized with those of adjacent
states.
reserves, and where expedient, create new ones, thereby, defining their own
cattle grazing routes which will then be harmonized with those of adjacent
states.
•To accommodate the livelihood of pastoral Fulani and
reduce the frictions and recurring tensions between them and farmers.
reduce the frictions and recurring tensions between them and farmers.
•Institute process for securing existing grazing reserves with
active participation of both Fulani and farmers in affected areas.
Determine the need for additional or new grazing reserves and create them in
consultation with adjacent state(s)
active participation of both Fulani and farmers in affected areas.
Determine the need for additional or new grazing reserves and create them in
consultation with adjacent state(s)
•Appoint a committee to work with the FGN to come up with a
long-term research -driven framework of settling nomadic Fulani
pastoralists and changing the methods of raising their livestock.
long-term research -driven framework of settling nomadic Fulani
pastoralists and changing the methods of raising their livestock.
•Support security agencies to commence community-based
intelligence systems. Promote the utilization of safe spaces like palaces,
public schools, LG secretariats, zauren shawara to engender dialogue
between security forces and citizens.
intelligence systems. Promote the utilization of safe spaces like palaces,
public schools, LG secretariats, zauren shawara to engender dialogue
between security forces and citizens.
•To engender citizen participation in security management
and peace building while using less costly mechanisms
and peace building while using less costly mechanisms
•Delegate partial responsibility to traditional rulers whose
structure fits the intent and methodology for the attainment of the
recommendations. Tangible motivation and empowerment of all the traditional
rulers in the North to support them in the effective and efficient
performance of their complementary roles in the maintenance of law and order,
security management and, most especially, monitoring the influx of people
within and across their domains. Existing community monitoring initiatives
should be strengthened.
structure fits the intent and methodology for the attainment of the
recommendations. Tangible motivation and empowerment of all the traditional
rulers in the North to support them in the effective and efficient
performance of their complementary roles in the maintenance of law and order,
security management and, most especially, monitoring the influx of people
within and across their domains. Existing community monitoring initiatives
should be strengthened.
•Liaise with the Federal Government to find practical and
non -confrontational ways of addressing the indigene/settler divide
nationwide.
non -confrontational ways of addressing the indigene/settler divide
nationwide.
•Attainment of the constitutional freedoms for
citizens. The ongoing constitutional review process presents an opportunity for
addressing the underlying issues of this challenge.
citizens. The ongoing constitutional review process presents an opportunity for
addressing the underlying issues of this challenge.
•The Northern governors should support religious
organizations to develop a code of ethics to self-regulate their
behaviour. Enhance accountability and curtail incidences of incitement of
adherents/followers of the different faiths. Self-imposed regulations will
reduce apprehensions against government, especially oversight agencies.
organizations to develop a code of ethics to self-regulate their
behaviour. Enhance accountability and curtail incidences of incitement of
adherents/followers of the different faiths. Self-imposed regulations will
reduce apprehensions against government, especially oversight agencies.
•Enforcement to be secured by the legal endorsement of the
regulations as integral charter of incorporation.
regulations as integral charter of incorporation.
•Urgent expansion of the structure and scope of the NIREC and
similar interfaith agencies within Nigeria to all levels of government in
the Northern states.
similar interfaith agencies within Nigeria to all levels of government in
the Northern states.
•Guarantee the rights of all citizens to the freedom of
religion and ensure that the constitutional rights of those who convert to one
religion or the other are protected. Northern governors must
promote a sense of belonging for all and protect the rights
equitable treatment of all citizens
religion and ensure that the constitutional rights of those who convert to one
religion or the other are protected. Northern governors must
promote a sense of belonging for all and protect the rights
equitable treatment of all citizens
•Abolish all discriminatory state policies towards religious
groups, particularly in the areas of access to lands for places of
worship, or access to media spaces for religious broadcasts. The teaching of
Islamic and Christian religious education must become an enforceable part of
the curriculum of all schools, irrespective of how many children there
are of each faith.
groups, particularly in the areas of access to lands for places of
worship, or access to media spaces for religious broadcasts. The teaching of
Islamic and Christian religious education must become an enforceable part of
the curriculum of all schools, irrespective of how many children there
are of each faith.
•Discourage the use of derogatory and offensive language
which has the effect of denigrating human dignity and freedoms of
any person in all northern states.
which has the effect of denigrating human dignity and freedoms of
any person in all northern states.
•Federal Government to urgently establish special border patrol
units consisting of a combined operation of military, immigration and
customs equipped with tracking and monitoring devices. Effectively
respond to the challenges of human infiltration and movement of arms and
ammunition into and across border states.
units consisting of a combined operation of military, immigration and
customs equipped with tracking and monitoring devices. Effectively
respond to the challenges of human infiltration and movement of arms and
ammunition into and across border states.
Source: The Nation
