Imitate Governor Udom's Security Strategy, Group tells Northern Leaders

A group under the auspices of 'The North Decides 2023' has urged governors of the 19 Northern States to borrow a leaf from the security strategy of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom.

The group, in a statement signed by its Coordinator-General Rufai Balarabe on Wednesday said the Northern Governors security strategy has been unsuccessful for too long because they have been committing billions to creating "parallel security outfits", while ignoring that of the Federal Government, such as the Police.

The group, in the statement, stressed that there was no justification for "the establishment of ineffective and inefficient security outfits, which are not backed by the Nigerian constitution".

The group went on to say that the time has come for Northern States Governors to "wake up from their deep slumber and stop wasting taxpayers money on parallel security outfits, in the guise to fighting the frightening security crisis bedevilling the region".

The North Decides 2023, in the statement, wondered why Northern Governors have not paid attention to " the revolutionary strategem adopted by Governor Udom in dealing with the peculiar security challenges facing States across the North and South of this nation.

"While other Governors are busy establishing local militias in their localities, Governor Udom Emmanuel is busy stregthening Federal institutions to fight crimes. Imagine how the Inspector-General of Police(IGP) inaugurated Special Police Units Bases in Akwa Ibom and the excitement that greeted it!", the group said in the statement.

It would be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Alkali Usman, inaugurated Special Inspection Unit Base 27, at Awa-Iman in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom , yesterday Wednesday.
While inaugurating the project, Usman said it was initiated and wholly executed by Akwa Ibom Government.
He then thanked President Muhammad Buhari for taking care of the needs of the police and providing exceptional leadership which had been galvanising state governors and other stakeholders in supporting the Federal Government in taking care of the police.
He said that the support had helped to bridge logistics gaps that had been impacting on operational efficiency of the police.
The IGP's wrods: “Today’s event is significant to the Nigeria Police and the internal security framework of Akwa Ibom and the entire country, in several ways.
“It is a legacy project which demonstrates the commitment of Gov. Udom Emmanuel to the security well-being of the good people of Akwa Ibom.

“By your excellency’s action, you have given a clear and loud effect to Chapter Two, Section 14 (2b) of the Nigerian Constitution which stipulates: “The security and welfare of the people shall be primary purpose of government.”

Gov. Udom has also donated 15 vehicles for the take-off of the base.

The Governor then stressed thus: “This is one state that at each point in time, we demonstrate that we are in collaboration, partnership, common purpose and common goal with all the security agencies serving in the state.”

On his part, the IGP expressed "strong conviction" that once leadership at all levels of governance in Nigeria plays supportive roles in relation to the advancement of
internal security interest, by providing enabling environment for the police, massive progress is achieved.