Governors in the Northwest region of Nigeria and their Maradi Region counterpart in Niger Republic have called for a review of the ECOWAS Article on movement of persons and arms to checkmate worsening security challenges in the regions.

The governors stated their position in a communiqué they issued at the end of a two-day multilateral summit on terrorism and border security at the General Muhammadu Buhari Government House in Katsina.

They also called for periodic meetings of selected traditional rulers from the affected states in recognition of their significance.

The communiqué, which was read by the Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Alhaji Muntari Lawal, noted that such periodic meetings by traditional rulers would enable them to share information and exchange ideas on security management.

The governors proposed that a good number of the residents of the Northwestern states, including Maradi Region, engage in animal husbandry or animal rearing as a vocation and means of livelihood.

They regretted that overtime, trading had been infiltrated by criminals, resulting in cattle rustling, armed banditry, kidnapping for ransom and proliferation of small arms, light weapons and ammunition.

Lawal said after extensive deliberations and observations, the meeting supported Operation Hadarin Daji, being conducted by the military in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states.

He said: “In the light of the bilateral arrangement on pursuit of criminals up to 30 kilometres by security agents across each other’s border between Nigeria and Niger Republic, the meeting recommends appropriate review of the ECOWAS Article on movement of persons and arms.

“There is, therefore, the need for Defense Headquarters’ clearance to these sectors to meet and develop unified strategies to combat the common security challenges bedeviling the areas.

“The meeting further recommends the need for stakeholders’ meeting involving all the heads of security agencies in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states and Maradi and Tahoua regions to be hosted by the headquarters of Operation Hadarin Daji and facilitated by the governors of the affected states.

“The meeting also recommends that in the event of an express directive for a clearance operation, once it is started, it should be coordinated by land and air and should not stop until it reaches its final point.”

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