Borno bombings: Devolve more security powers to governors, Aliyu tells FG

The Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to devolve more powers to State Governments in the areas of security, especially in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the country.
Aliyu made the call while responding to questions from journalists on the security challenges in the country and the Eidel Maulud day bombing in Maiduguri, Borno State, in which scores of residents were killed.
Aliyu, who spoke after laying the wreath in honour of the fallen heroes at the Military Cenotaph in Minna to mark this year’s Nigeria Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, said that acts of terrorism cannot be predicted no matter what security measures were put in place.
According to him: “We are making all the efforts to get rid of terrorists in the country.
“I have been insisting that the state governors must take the security of their states into their hands and to make the Federal Government’s role look like complimentary to what they are doing.
“Obviously, with regards to terrorism, it is unfortunate that you can never predict their actions no matter what measure of security is in place.
“We need the support of the people to really get rid of the terrorists.
“That is the essence of governance and that is where now we really have to look at our federation.
“The state governments should be empowered to take care of the security of their environment.”
The governor however commended his counterpart in Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, for his concerted efforts at overcoming the security challenges in the state, adding: “The young man has been doing exceedingly well.”
On the essence of the Nigeria Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, Aliyu described the event as good, particularly in this era of democratic government.
Other dignitaries that laid wreath at the cenotaph included the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Barrister Adamu Usman; the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Fati Abubakar; the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, who was represented by the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Faruk Bahago; military commanders in Niger State; and the state Commissioner of Police.