Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, saying the country’s persistent insecurity reflected deeper challenges of poor governance, poverty, and inadequate collaboration between security agencies and citizens.
The governor made this remark on Sunday when he visited Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at his private residence in Ibadan to sympathise with the people and government of the state over the abduction of teachers and pupils in Yawota and Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area.
Mohammed, who was accompanied by some leaders of the Allied People’s Movement, including the National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, and the party’s governorship candidate in Bauchi State, Yakubu Adamu, called for a rejig of the nation’s security architecture to better guarantee the safety of citizens.
The information was contained in a statement released by the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Recall on May 15, terrorists stormed the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; the Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, killing a teacher and abducting over 45 pupils and teachers.
While commending the steps taken by Makinde to secure the safe return of the abductees, Mohammed expressed optimism that the kidnapped teachers and pupils would soon regain their freedom.
Speaking with journalists after meeting with his host, Mohammed said, “I am here with our leaders from the Allied People’s Movement to commiserate with our presidential candidate and the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, over the ordeal that the people and government of Oyo are going through as a result of the abduction of our schoolchildren and their teachers.
“It has been a lingering issue for some time, and we are truly sharing in the grief. We are here to encourage him that what he is doing to ensure their release is being noticed by the whole nation. And we join, on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State, to commiserate with him and encourage him to ensure that these Nigerians are released.”
Mohammed, who expressed his readiness to assist the Oyo State government in any way possible to secure the early release of the abductees, added that the visit also provided an opportunity to congratulate Makinde on his emergence as the APM’s presidential candidate.
The Bauchi governor said, “He (Makinde) is my jolly good friend, a young man with energy, determination, and drive, who can do a lot to change the trajectory of leadership and good governance in Nigeria.”
Commenting on insecurity in the country, Mohammed said the nation’s security architecture required critical review to foster greater commitment and improved synergy among security agencies, as well as between security operatives and citizens.
He added, “The security situation is a manifestation of poor governance, poverty, and the challenges of daily life. Beyond that, I think the citizenry should sit up and ensure they take their destinies into their own hands.
“People need to take responsibility to ensure they do not become informants or collaborate with criminal elements. They must also make sure they elect good leaders.
“Leadership is another factor, and citizens must bring about change. They know where the shoe pinches. We do not have to exonerate ourselves at any level of leadership—whether at the subnational, national, or local government level. But I think that during the next election cycle, people should take their destinies into their hands.”
The Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola; and the Senior Executive Assistant on General Duties, Bayo Lawal, among others, joined Makinde in receiving Mohammed and his entourage.
Packaged by Adekunle Adegboyega
