The presidency and governors have agreed to include none indigenes of a particular community in the recruitment of personnel for local and conventional security outfits across Nigeria, including Amotekun, a Southwest security outfits.
They also agreed to ensure that perpetrators of crime of any type are promptly arrested and prosecuted, to reconstruct destroyed homes in the recent communal clashes, and pay compensation where appropriate for damage to property and livelihoods during targeted attacks on communities, as well as the unequivocal condemnation of manifestations of hatred, hate crimes and related violence against communities.
These agreements were reached yesterday, February 18, at the first physical meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, with governors of 36 State, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other key members of the federal executive as well as appointees of the President as members.
Other recommendations and agreements by NEC include the protection of all residents of all States, including non-indigenous communities and religious and ethnic minorities within State jurisdictions;
The arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators of crime;
In collaboration with federal authorities, the reconstruction of destroyed homes and payment of compensation where appropriate by State authorities for damage to property and livelihoods sustained during targeted attacks on communities within their jurisdictions;
Ensuring that deceased victims of such violence are duly accorded dignified burial rites;
The immediate public and unequivocal condemnation of all manifestations of hatred, targeted violence, and other hate crimes against ethnic, religious, and minority groups;
Ensuring that local security initiatives – whether they are State government law enforcement agencies or local vigilante groups or the Community Policing programme of the Nigeria Police Force – are inclusive and are composed with due consideration given to adequate representation of non-indigenous/minority resident communities;
Ensuring that all State, local and communal security initiatives operate according to guidelines consistent with State legislation and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other relevant laws and are subjected to rigorous oversight;
Ensuring that innocent citizens and entire communities are not slandered, harassed, or victimized for the crimes perpetrated by criminal elements within those communities on the basis of ethnic or religious affiliation.
The continued organization of and participation in town hall meetings in the localities where ethnic strife has taken place by Governors representing all geopolitical zones.
That State Governments have statutory jurisdiction over forest reserves and will seek federal support for efforts to eradicate forest-based crime. (Council deliberated on how forests should be better managed and secured against criminals and criminality.)
That the National Livestock Transformation Plan is a comprehensive strategy for addressing the farmer-herder conflict developed by the States in collaboration with the Federal Government and Governors will seek its full implementation. (States are encouraged to promote modernization of livestock and Council, therefore, called for the strengthening of the National Livestock Transformation Plan.)
The strengthening of border controls to discourage cross-border crimes and the effective observation of ECOWAS Transhumance protocols.
According to a presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, other discussions at the NEC meeting included the presentation of the strategy for the realization of the President’s vision to bring 100million Nigerians out of poverty.
“The presentation was made to the Council by the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, PEAC.
“Council resolved that the Technical Committee of NEC be set up with 3 Governors and representatives of the Federal Government to look at details of States’ involvement and how their concerns could be addressed regarding the presentation and the implementation of the strategy.”
