How to urgently fix insecurity in Northern Nigeria

Since the recent exacerbation of terrorism in northern Nigeria, there have not been serious legal actions to punish the culprits. There should be an emergency court for trying the criminals and immediately convict them.

There should be a special law that dictates the kinds of punishment for every kind of complicity in banditry and kidnapping. The punishment should be severe and in the public view as this will serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to be involved in any kind of terrorism.

The government cannot fix this level of insecurity in a short while; that is why the citizens have to come in. For northern Nigeria, there should be an independent body or forum that will unite the expertise and resources of all active and retired professionals and elites from the region.

The forum will be independent of the government and should have a structure down to the local government levels. It will be managed by respected and experienced people in the region. The forum may be named “Arewa Development Forum”.

The body will establish “The Arewa Development Trust Fund”, where every working and capable northerner will willingly contribute money monthly. The funds will be used for compulsory education for all and some basic infrastructural development in the northern rural areas.

The extent of poverty in the north is unimaginable. There are still villages without schools and no access to electricity. These villages with anever growing population have no road and potable water.

Also, traditional rulers have to be actively involved in information and intelligence gathering. They are closer to the people; they could provide relevant information and strategies unique to their territories.

Dorcas Adams writes from Bauchi State