The Chief Adviser to Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Dr Mairo Mandara has identified poverty and social inequality as major factors fuelling insecurity in border communities accross the country.

Mrs Mandara, Coordinator for Sustainable Development, Partnership and Humanitarian Support in Borno State, made the call in an interview on Thursday in Abuja.

She spoke on the sidelines of a border security workshop organised by the National Boundary Commission to strengthen security, promote resilience and enhance cross-border cooperation.

Mrs Mandara urged federal and state governments to address poverty, ignorance and social inequality, which she said were fuelling conflicts along internal and international boundaries.

“In the same country where people, as we speak, have not had breakfast and do not know what they will eat for lunch or dinner, it is a serious issue.

“We call on the governments to continue addressing poverty, social inequity and social injustice for peaceful coexistence,” she said.

Mrs Mandara said poverty created conditions that made vulnerable people susceptible to recruitment by insurgents and criminal groups.

She reiterated the need for sustained efforts to tackle poverty, social inequity and social injustice to promote peaceful coexistence.

She stated, “We call on the government to continue addressing poverty, social inequity and social injustice for peaceful coexistence. “

Mrs Mandara said Borno State shares borders with Niger, Cameroon and Chad, making it easier for insurgents to exploit porous borders during security operations.

“When we push them, they go into Niger; when they are pushed out from Chad, they come into Nigeria,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of involving traditional leaders in securing border communities because of their influence and closeness to local populations.

“We need to work very closely with traditional leaders in ensuring that we continue to build resilience and trans-border relationships,” she said.

Mrs Mandara cited the Emir of Kebbi, whose traditional domain extends into Niger, as an example of effective cross-border traditional relationships.

“When he calls a meeting, people from Niger come for the Emirate meeting. That is the importance of the border,” she said.

She added that traditional leaders should be actively engaged in building trans-border relationships because of their understanding of and closeness to local communities.

(NAN)