Elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has described the recurring cases of kidnapping of school children and other forms of insecurity in the country as ‘bad and very unfortunate’, appealing for a synergy between the federal, state and local government to tackle the problem.
He said when the three tiers can channel their resources and energy together, the issue of insecurity would be tackled head on.
Yakasai made the appeal at the weekend in an interview with LEADERSHIP in Kano.
The elder statesman, who described the situation as a matter that needs urgent attention said, despite that the government is just nine months in office, its immediate task is to ensure it assess the challenges, the capabilities and resources needed to be able to deal with the problem or strengthen the system to get more power, resources and energy to tackle the challenge.
According to him, “It’s bad and very unfortunate. Children are our main asset and they are being subjected to this kind of harassment; it is too bad, very unfortunate. I appeal for synergy between the federal, state and local government where they can put heads together and see how best they can use their energy and resources to tackle this problem and bring it to an end. I know they can do it.
“What we need is synergy. It’s not a job for one tier, it is a matter that requires collaboration among the three tiers of government. This is my appeal to them and I hope the president will take the initiative.”
On negotiation with bandits on the release of kidnapped victims and terrorism financiers, the elder statesman posited that doing that will amount to encouragement of the actors to continue with their nefarious activities, noting that those in the government know how best to tackle the problem given the amount of resources under their command and also the personnel in intelligence.
“Let them face the court. It is a crime and crimes committed should be taken to court, because if they are not taken to court, it amounts to an encouragement to would-be criminals to go on doing their bad things. It is very good thing people see that criminals are taken to court and prosecuted; when that has taken place, it would send a signal that they should not even contemplate committing the crime.”
The elder Statesman who also supported the call for a parliamentary system of government in the country, citing examples of how it worked well before the military truncated the First Republic.
According to him, it is working well in England and France and is more democratic and requires collective effort from members of the parliament and the executive.
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