Cross-Border Crimes: Gov Sani-Bello Advocates Grazing Reserve, Cattle Ranch

Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubkar Sani-Bello has called for a review of  Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocols which allows for free movement of people in order to keep the boarders of member states secured.

Governor Sani-Bello made the call during the presentation of a report on the study tour on Niger State by Syndicate One of Executive Intelligence Management Course 12 of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in Bwari, Abuja.

The Governor who noted that boarders across states need to be more secured as the free access Protocol is being abused by some criminal  elements  threatening the internal security of member states.

He stressed that there cannot be any meaningful development in any of the ECOWAS member states without adequate security.

“I know there are ECOWAS protocols that allow free movement but the time has come to review some those protocols. We must change our ways of doing things. We must come up with new ways of addressing the current security challenges in Nigeria and Africa at large”.

On the recurrent  faceoff between herders and farmers in some states, Governor Sani-Bello proffered that “cattle ranching and revival of grazing reserves are the options to improving security in the state and the country at large”.

He reiterated his administration’s determination  towards ensuring continuous peace, safety of lives and property in the state.

He directed hotels operators to have proper records of guests, adding that an executive order has been given to motorcycle owners to get their bikes registered to check  crimes being committed by  unregistered motorcycles.

The Governor then commended the management of the institution and participants for their efforts and dedication during the study tour.

Earlier, the Director of the  Institute , Alhaji Ayodele Adeleke said that the course was for top executive of different security agencies , military, paramilitary, Ministries, Departments and Agencies  adding that the theme of this year’s  course is ” Transhumance and International Migration: Challenges for Good Governance, Peace and Sustainable Development in Sub-Sahara Africa. “

He then commended Governor Sani-Bello for his efforts in providing logistic support to security agencies in the state towards combating security challenges.

Jibrin Baba Ndace

Chief Press Secretary