North-east Governors met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday on how to find a lasting solution to the insurgency rocking the region, with claims that the Boko Haram insurgents are recruiting more members.
Present in the meeting were the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and the heads of security agencies in the country.
This is coming barely a week when the convoy of Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state was attacked.
Speaking to journalists, Zulum highlighted the security challenges of the region, saying police should be empowered with enough armoury to help fight the insurgency.
He said: “The government of the region have commended the efforts of federal government in securing the region. However, we told me president that there is need for the federal government to address the causes of insurgency, which are not limited to the endemic poverty, hunger among others.
“One of the root causes is that of access to farm lands, people need to go back to their farmlands, people need to be resettled in their original homes so that they can restart their means of livelihood.
“This is one of the reasons the insurgents are recruiting more into the sect. Therefore, creating enabling environment (that) will enable the people to go about their normal duties will no doubt reduce the cases of insurgency.”
When quizzed about the attack on him by the insurgents, the governor said a series of consultations has been held over the incident, adding that “I think security is not only about federal government”.
“There is need for the federal, states and the local government to come together with a view to proffering solutions that will end this crisis in the region,” Zulum said.
“But most importantly, there is war on the economy in the region and I think that is why we are here.”