By Peter Amine
Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam) has said that the security challenges bedeviling the country can only be tackled through a non-kinetic approach and not military might.
Gagdi, who is House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Navy, stated this in Jos at the launch of Security Magazine/Award Night.
The lawmaker said that using non-kinetic, that is, diplomatic and civil approaches to security issues, would entrench lasting peace in the country.
The former Plateau House of Assembly deputy speaker, who chaired the House Committee on Peace and Security, said identifying causes of insecurity and tackling them was better than military might.
“I was made chairman of the Special Committee on Peace, Security, and Reconciliation on Plateau, for two years.
“I visited Gashish, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Langtang North, Langtang South, andY Wase, all the places affected by one form of insecurity or another.
“And my report centrally is that you cannot use weapons to solve the problem of insecurity. Rather, you use diplomatic or non-kinetic approaches to solve security problems.
“The political class is to blame, predominantly, but all of us are to blame for the lingering insecurity.
“If you want a non-kinetic approach and there is a crisis in three local governments, in approaching those security matters, you first look at the laws,” he said.
Gagdi stated the insecurity problem, the bandits, the cattle rustlers, and the farmer’s herders were born out of bad governance and bad representation.
According to him, poverty and hunger were key reasons why insecurity was persisting.
“You cannot have a country where the political class drives cars worth N50 million, purchased with taxpayers’ money, and yet you cannot afford to buy kerosene to light your stove and cook at home.
“You don’t expect progress in that circumstance. Security is not about the use of guns, bombing Boko Haram, kidnappers, or bandits. Security is governance.
“I agree that, predominantly where we are, the non-usage of non-kinetic approaches is a result of the people in positions of authority.
“And unless we choose leadership based on credibility, do not hope that we have a solution to the security problems in Nigeria.
“I have said this loud and clear: the primary responsibility of every government, according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is the welfare and security of its citizens.
“As Parliament, the Constitution grants us the power to make laws for peace, order, and good governance. Peace is the first thing mentioned when it comes to the functions of Parliament.
“According to our constitution, security is the foundation of any meaningful development in Nigeria,” he added.
