Security Challenges: Defence Minister Expresses Concern over Food Security
The Federal Government has expressed concerns over food security in the country due to security challenges being faced.
This was communicated yesterday by the Minister of Defence, Major Gen Bashir Magachi, retd, during the 2021 Defence Advisers/Attaches Annual conference in Abuja.
According to him, security threats in different parts of the country have endangered economic growth and food security.
He said: “The threat has made it imperative for the various security agencies in the country to collaborate to tackle the menace to create the enabling atmosphere for economic activities to thrive and attract foreign direct investment, FDI.
*It also means that the security agencies must explore all avenues within their respective systems to come up with innovative ways of identifying and confronting the challenges facing us as a nation.”
Magachi reiterated that the country was faced with other dimensions of threats, including increasing agitations for secession.
“In the northeast, Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP attacks continue to pose serious security threats in Nigeria.
”In the northwest and north-central zones, the activities of armed bandits, armed herders/militia attacks and kidnappers are prevalent.
“The coastal states in the South-South are plagued with illegal oil bunkering, piracy and militancy, while the South- East is challenged with secessionist activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
”The South West is equally faced with secessionist inclination driven by ethnic agitators as well as occasional tension between herders and farmers.
“Distinguishing the threats Nigeria is currently facing and understanding their socio-geographic context is pivotal for adapting appropriate and lasting counter-measures.
“There is no doubt that the Defence Advisers/Attaches system has crucial roles to play in this regard by forging understanding and cooperation with the security and defence architectures in their respective countries of accreditation”, Magachi added.
