Dare Babalola
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has appealed to the Federal Government to focus on recruiting military and police personnel specifically for deployment in their states of origin.
In a Wednesday post on his verified X handle, Sani argued that deploying security personnel to their own states is the most effective anti-terrorism strategy since they understand the local terrain better than outsiders.
Furthermore, the former lawmaker called for comprehensive training and provision of sophisticated equipment to enhance their operations.
“In combatting bandits and terrorists, the recruitment of military and police personnel should place emphasis on regions with the highest levels of insecurity.
“They should be recruited, trained, equipped and sent to their states and regions to fight the criminals.They know their terrain better than anyone,” he said.
Nigeria has been grappling with a surge in terrorist attacks and kidnappings, particularly in the northern regions. Just recently, gunmen abducted over 300 students and 12 staff members from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, with about 50 students managing to escape.
These attacks are part of a broader wave of violence linked to groups like Boko Haram and other bandits exploiting rural areas.
The Nigerian government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has responded by ordering 24-hour aerial surveillance and security operations in forests across Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states where these criminals often hide.
In a positive development, 25 schoolgirls abducted from a school in Kebbi State were rescued.
