By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA—The Federal Government has been advised to focus attention on the eradication of widespread cases of terrorism in the North-East and militancy in the Niger Delta as they pose the major threat to national security and development.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who made the disclosure, said solutions must be proffered to tame the increasing religious intolerance championed by some Islamic sects in the North and Niger Delta militancy, towards a peaceful country.

He spoke at a capacity-enhancement training for security operatives in two selected communities in Nigeria, jointly organized by ECOWAS, European Union, EU, Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons, PRESCOM-SALW, and UNDP.

Tambuwal, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Buhari Bello-Kware, wondered why the North, which used to be accommodating to peoples of other regions and religions, had become a hub of insecurity.

He said: “It has become difficult for us to be our brothers’ keepers because we have become intolerant and ignorant as a result of our refusal to seek knowledge about our beliefs or religions, thus making us ready tools in the hands of people who use religion or ethnicity for personal gains.”