By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
Benue North East Senatorial contender, Douglas Pepe, SAN, has advised the federal government to explore alternative methods, rather than relying solely on force, to resolve the security challenges plaguing the country.
Pepe made this call during an interview with journalists, Monday, in Makurdi, while reacting to renewed attacks, killings, and kidnappings across the country.
He suggested that the government should engage with the hoodlums in a roundtable discussion, giving them an opportunity to express their grievances.
“The government has been using violence for over 20 years, and it hasn’t worked. We should try a different approach,” Pepe said.
He cited the Niger-Delta amnesty programme as an example of a successful initiative, arguing that a similar approach could work elsewhere in the country.
Pepe identified corruption within security formations and politics infiltration by political actors as major challenges to the fight against insecurity.
He expressed disappointment at cases where high-profile criminals are arrested, only to disappear from police custody.
The senior advocate urged the government to be more proactive on security issues, divesting the matter from politics and sentiments.
He called on President Ahmed Tinubu to appoint the right people to key positions to tackle insecurity.
