Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd), has said the North-East lacks development and this is fuelling insurgency in the zone.
Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff, stated this on Friday, October 22, in Yola at the 24th, 25th, and 26th convocation lecture of Modibbo Adama University.
According to Buratai, who was the Guest Lecturer, the underdevelopment of the North-East was the major factor fuelling insurgency and insecurity in the geopolitical zone.
“Any country that does not ensure the development of its people would have security challenges.
“We should not rely on the military option as the only way to resolve our security challenges.
“We must address the ideological, economic, social, and political factors.
“My recent diplomatic foray has further sharpened my views on the urgent need for military, as well as a non-military solution to the lingering and needless conflict”, he said.
Buratai also said that the situation required synergy, political will, sacrifice, and commitment of government, civil society, traditional rulers, and all stakeholders to curtail the sporadic attacks and bring the conflict to a permanent conclusion.
Also Read: Buhari reveals administration’s efforts towards battling insecurity
“Central to the argument of this paper is that security and development in the North-East should not be addressed individually but as one intrinsic element and that development is a requirement for stabilisation,” he said.
Buratai pointed out that anyone that only relied only on the military and other instruments of coercion; to resolve an insurgency such as Boko Haram terrorism is bound to continue to suffer insecurity.
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Kano has alerted the Federal Government to the alleged decision by some private depot owners to increase fuel prices.
The Chairman, IPMAN Kano Branch, Alhaji Bashir Danmallam, disclosed this in a statement in Kano on Friday, October 22.
He said that the decision would cause a fuel crisis in the country, if not halted.
The chairman said that depot owners have increased the price of the product; from N148 per litre to between N153 and N155 per litre since Friday last week.
“The association found it necessary to alert the government; in order not to blame its members when they increase the price of the commodity; as they will not sell the product at a loss.
“We are calling on the management of the NNPC to investigate the issue; because we know it is only the Federal Government that imports fuel; not private depot owners,” Danmallam said.
