The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has sited strong connections between climate change and internal security.
The IGP disclosed this relationship Tuesday, 21 September, while speaking during the flag-off of the One – Nigerian – One – Tree National Tree Planting Initiative, in the Federal capital Territory, Abuja.
TheFact Nigeria notes that the tree planting campaign, organised by Greater Nigeria Initiative, is in fulfillment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s pledge to plant 25 million trees in Nigeria to enhance the country’s carbon sink as part of the country’s efforts to implement the Paris climate change agreement.
The Police Chief, while assuring the nation that the Force remains committed to deploying both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in tackling crimes and criminality towards boosting public safety, public health and security in the country, observed that human activities including desertification, deforestation and other elements of climate change, are major drivers of poverty, crimes and insecurity generally.
The IGP emphasized that the intense rivalry and competition for natural resources between farmers and herders occasioned by climate change is at the root of some of the violent clashes, not only in Nigeria, but across the sub-Sahara and the Sahel region.
He therefore commended the organizers of the program, the Greater Nigeria Initiative, and expressed his belief that the initiative, which constitutes one of the Force’s non-kinetic approaches in combating crime, would assist the Force in proactively responding and addressing the increasingly broadened and complex security threats in the country.
The IGP further pledged the commitment of the Force to the Twenty-Five Million Tree Planting Initiative of the Federal Government, assuring that the exercise would be replicated across all Zonal and State commands towards addressing the alarming deforestation challenges occasioned by climate change. He added that the Force remains committed also to building an eco-friendly environment for peaceful co-existence among the citizens, as well as enhancing national security.
Dignitaries and guests at the program include the representatives of the Ministers of Police Affairs, Environment and the Federal Capital Territory, members of the Force Management Team, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Zone-7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Bala Ciroma, the Commissioner of Police FCT Command, CP Babaji Sunday, and the Sa’peyi of Garki, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Usman Nga Kupi.
Others are, officials of Greater Nigeria Initiative, staff and students of Government Junior Secondary School, Apo, amongst others.
