Insecurity: FG harps on use of technology in fight against insurgency, banditry

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, said plans are underway to scale up the use of technology in the campaign against insurgents, bandits and other criminal elements.
He revealed this while speaking at a pre-Ramadan meeting organised by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), held in Kaduna, yesterday.
The Defence Minister expressed delight that the security agencies have been doing wonderful work by apprehending bandits in different parts of the country.
According to him, the technological devices would help the security operatives to track the location of the non-state actors, in line with efforts to address the high level of insecurity in the country.
“The way the bandits operate makes it difficult for the security agents because they cannot be everywhere.
“Despite the way the terrorists operate, the security personnel have been doing wonderful work by neutralising, apprehending them and rescuing victims in parts of the country.”
He employed the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria to pray for peace in the country, saying that it is only in a peaceful environment that the government would be able to carry out its programmes for the overall benefit of the citizens.
The President of SCSN, Sheik Aburrasheed Hadiyullah said, “In these challenging times, we must uphold the principles of peace, unity, and understanding.
“We should preach against resorting to violent protests against the government and strive for dialogue and constructive engagement with the government to address our concerns.
“Islam encourages us to seek solutions to problems with our leaders through peaceful means only. Violence only begets more violence, and it is our duty as responsible citizens and followers of Islam to promote harmony and stability.”
He urged the Ulamah to highlight the increasing moral decadence within Muslim communities in Nigeria, lamenting that traditional values of Islam that once anchored the society are fast eroding, giving way to a range of ethical challenges like moral corruption, dishonesty, and a diminishing sense of communal responsibility.
“This troubling trend not only undermines the core principles of Islam but also threatens the social fabric that binds our communities together,” he noted.