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. . . Calls For Dialogue
By Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, Kaduna
The former Chief of Army Staff, Amb. Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai ( Rtd. ), has disclosed that failure of some state and local governments to establish their presence in some parts of their states is the major reason for banditry.
Buratai said, there must be a concerted effort by the government to see that there are no ungoverned spaces in the country.
The former COAS who is an Ambassador to Benin Republic made this known during a one day symposium on national security in Kaduna at the weekend.
Buratai who was the guest lecturer at the occassion urged state and local governments to establish their presence in their areas of responsibility.
Ambassador Buratai who also called for dialogue between governments and armed groups, explained that a growing practice of engaging in dialogue with all parties to a conflict has emerged since the mid-1980s.
According to him, the issue of the carrot and stick approach can be used to explore ways to end some of the conflicts confronting Nigeria.
” It has worked in places like the Philippines and even Egypt. Let us not forget that the Islamic Brotherhood was once a dangerous terrorist group and it was responsible for the death of late President Anwar Sadat of Egypt in 1982 but, the use of the carrot and stick approach saw them transformed into a party that eventually fielded Muhammad Mursi to contest and win Presidential election.
” The office of the National Security Adviser should collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Intelligence Agency, and the Defence Intelligence Agency to see how all foreign patrons or allies of the insurgents and bandits cut of their support.
” They should employ every diplomatic strategies, and where necessary to block the support,” Buratai explained.