A retired army general, Ishola Williams, has lambasted northern leaders for their alleged inaction in addressing the region’s insecurity challenges.

The general’s criticism comes amid escalating concerns over terrorism, insurgency, and banditry in the North, which have led to widespread attacks and displacement of communities

Williams, in an interview with Sunday Punch, emphasized that the situation has spiralled out of control, with bandits now operating freely and controlling large areas in the North.

He argued that this is no longer just a matter of terrorism but a more complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach.

The retired general suggested that the military’s role should be focused on protecting the territorial integrity of the country rather than pursuing bandits, which is the responsibility of the Mobile Police.

He also advocated for the separation of National Paramilitary Force from the police service, recommending that it should be an independent entity.

Williams pointed out the claims of collusion between security agencies and bandits, saying, “Do they have the will to face the bandits and defeat them? For me, if they don’t have the will, it simply means they are useless.”

He emphasized that the military’s primary role is to protect the country’s territorial integrity, not to engage in internal counterterrorism operations.

Williams proposed strengthening paramilitary police forces, such as the mobile police, to combat insurgency effectively.

He criticized the reliance on the military to perform roles meant for specialized agencies and called for the restructuring of the Nigeria Police Force.

“The military is doing the job of the mobile police,” Williams said.

“The mobile police was created separately from the regular police, with a different uniform and training, to carry guns like soldiers and fight bandits, kidnappers, and insurgents.”

Williams also addressed the political dimensions of insecurity, advocating for political solutions alongside military efforts. He suggested that releasing IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and engaging regional leaders could quell unrest in the South-East. “The killings and attacks will stop if a political solution is found,” he asserted.

In the northern security crisis, Williams blamed governors for their inaction, particularly regarding the Almajiri system and the influence of traditional rulers. He cited instances of collaboration between traditional leaders and bandits, saying, “They (Governors) are not serious. If they can not take care of Almajiri, can they take care of the terrorists?

The President of MAAUN Group of Universities Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo has endorsed Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as AU Chairperson.

The African Union Commission election which is scheduled for February 2025 has 3 candidates vying for the Chairperson position which include Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, Raila Amolo Odinga of Kenya and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.

In a courtesy call to Gwarzo in his office on Saturday, the Director of the Pan African School of Diplomacy Salifu Diouf said that they decided to visit him to appreciate his contribution to scholarship and the less privileged in Africa.

On his part, Professor Gwarzo who was once the President of the Protection Rights of Journalists in Africa used the opportunity to call on them to support the candidature of Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as the next Chairperson of the African Union.

“This is the time to support someone who has Africa at heart, who can unite the continent for prosperity.

You can see what is happening in Sudan, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and some countries. The current chairperson Moussa Faki has failed in uniting Africa and in bringing positive changes but with the likes of Youssouf from Djibouti, things will change for the betterment of the African Continent.

This is someone who has the experience, he is a Djiboutian diplomat. He has served in the government of Djibouti as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2005. He is applying for a job which he is qualified for. I’m therefore appealing to all of you here to rally your support for Mahmoud Ali Youssouf”. Gwarzo said.

The new chair will be elected at the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2025 by the AU Assembly via a secret ballot.

Past chairpersons have hailed from western, central and southern regions of the African Union. The AU Executive Council has asserted the right of the East African region to produce the next chairperson and North Africa will therefore vie for the deputy chairperson post

In a significant move to tackle the issue of out-of-school children, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is set to launch the distribution of school uniforms for Primary 1 pupils across the state. The event is scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2025, at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.

The initiative, part of the administration’s commitment to addressing the problem of out-of-school children, will see over 789,000 male and female pupils in 7,092 public schools across the 44 Local Government Areas in the state receive sets of uniforms. This effort aims to promote school enrollment and ensure that every child of school age has the opportunity to access quality education, thereby reducing the number of out-of-school children in Kano.

Governor Yusuf’s administration recognizes the financial challenges faced by indigent parents in meeting the educational needs of their children. By providing school uniforms, the government aims to support these families and demonstrate that education remains a cornerstone of its agenda for even development across the state.

“By prioritizing the needs of young learners, the government seeks to empower the next generation with the tools they need to succeed and contribute positively to society,” stated Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, in the press release.

The official launch event will take place at 1:00 pm, with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf personally overseeing the distribution process. This gesture underscores the administration’s dedication to improving educational access and outcomes for all children in Kano State.