Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Governors under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) have resolved to meet with the nation’s security chiefs. This is in a bid to find lasting solution to the incessant killings in the country.

Those the governors would meet included the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Bruntai, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ekwe Ibas and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, among others.

Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Zamfara State,  Abdulaziz Yari, read the communiqué raised at the end of their meeting which started at 8:00p.m., on Wednesday, and ended at 2.30 Thursday morning.

According to Governor Yari, the meeting was called essentially to afford the governors the opportunity to make necessary inputs as to how best to secure the country and rid it of the lingering security challenges.

The resolution followed the recent mass killings in Jos, Plateau State, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The Governors condemned, in strong terms, the attacks and called for the persecution of the perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others.

They also commiserated with the government and people of Plateau State even as they planned to pay a condolence visit to the troubled state, on Friday.

Governor Yari’s words, “We, the members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) at our meeting held today at the NGF Secretariat, Abuja deliberated on several issues and resolved as  follows:

“The Forum strongly condemned recent attacks in Plateau State and the spate of insecurity in the country. Members commiserated with the government and people of Plateau and other states including victims who were caught in transit traveling to and from neighbouring states.

“Governors unanimously called for the prosecution of the perpetrators of the attacks and resolved to find a quick and common solution to the security crisis.

“The Forum resolved to pay a condolence visit to Plateau State to commiserate with the government and people of the state.

“Governors noted with delight and thanked President  Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President for their quick response and visit to Plateau State to show empathy to the people of the state. We equally commend Governor Simon Lalong for the way he handled the very sad situation.

“Governors resolved to hold a one-day meeting with the security chiefs to come up with a holistic solution to the country’s security situation.”

The NGF chairman also said the governors were also briefed by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), respectively.

The presentation from NCC revolved around the broadband deployment which Governor Yari said would expand the economic fortunes of the country while that of the NNPC was on the security of the energy sector.

“The Forum received presentation from the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Unar Garba Danbatta on Broadband Deployment in Nigeria.

“Governors acknowledged the importance of broadband deployment for both economic development and revenue generation and pledged to work closely with the Commission and Infrastructure Companies to remove the impediments to broadband deployment including unifying right of way charges and addressing multiple regulation and multiple taxation.

“Following a briefing on Energy Security and Cross-Border Leakages: Effects on Remittances to the Federation Account by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, represented by the Chief Executive, Downstream, NNPC, Henry Ikem Obi, and the Director of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Mordecai Danteni Baba Ladan, represented by Team Lead, Terminal Operation, DPR, Idris Abdulraha, Governors pledged to continue to engage with the federal government, the leadership of NNPC, DPR, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other security agencies to curb hoarding, diversion, smuggling and illegal hike in ex-depot or retail pump price to safeguard Nigeria’s energy security.

“Finally, governors reiterated their resolve to implement the PMS supply and distribution monitoring system in each state”, Yari said.