Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State and his fellow Governors from Sokoto, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Dr. Muhammed Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, along with their Maradi, Niger Republic counterpart, Alhaji Zakari Umaru have expressed serious concerns over the proliferation of arms, ammunition and hard drugs in the two countries.
The Governors, who met overnight Sunday in Maradi at the instance of the host Governor, drew a nexus between it and the rampaging banditry, kidnapping and cattle rusting that have become a recurring problem in North West part of Nigeria and Maradi in the Republic of Niger, Director General, Media to Governor Masari has revealed.
In a six-point communique read after the meeting, the governors adopted a unified and coordinated approach in the ongoing fight against insurgency and armed banditry, even as it called for an enhanced check on voluntary returnees.
The meeting particularly appreciated and commended “the alternative conflict resolution methods started by Governors Masari, Tambuwal and Mutawalle in their respective states.
The Governors also commended and appreciated the efforts of the governor of Maradi Region for the hospitality given to Nigerian refugees hosted in Maradi, even as they lauded Dangote Foundation and other NGOs for providing support to the refugees.
The meeting agreed that the three governors from Nigeria “will consult with the highest authorities in Nigeria regarding the closure of borders”.