Northern traditional rulers, others meet to tackle insecurity

Traditional rulers and other stakeholders from the North on Tuesday met in Abuja in order to proffer a solution to the insecurity ravaging the nation, especially the northern parts of the country.

The Northern Stakeholders Security Summit convened by the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC) with the theme, “Curbing Rising Spate of Insecurity Through Collective Efforts,” was attended by traditional rulers from the 19 northern states and the FCT.

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Speaking at the event, the convener of the summit and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, urged stakeholders not to relent in finding practical and workable solutions to the insecurity challenges facing the nation, especially the North.

The Sultan, who is also the President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Chairman of the NTRC, said the traditional rulers had been working hard to end insurgency.

“We would continue to do our parts as traditional rulers. These problems would continue except we implement resolutions that can bring solutions,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the chairman NTRC coordinating committee and Emir of Gummi, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, said that Nigeria had been facing insecurity since the civil war.

He listed some of the challenges to include kidnapping, armed robbery as well as religious and tribal conflicts.

He said, “Our country has now become notorious for banditry and kidnapping.

“We are among the world’s top kidnapping eight hot spots, alongside failed states such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Somalia. Even students are being kidnapped in their schools.

“Emirs and other traditional rulers are now victims of kidnapping for ransom. With this sordid state of affairs, one may be tempted to ask that in spite of the huge resources government at all levels are pumping into the fight against banditry and other forms of insecurity, why are things not getting better.

“Many people are now becoming cynical that government cannot solve the problem. That lack of confidence is now being visited on us traditional rulers,” Emir Gummi said.

Also, the Chairman Northern Governors’ Forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, commended the northern traditional leaders for their effort towards finding a lasting solution to the problems.

“This summit clearly showed the passion our traditional rulers have for the peace of the nation,” Lalong said.

The governor said the insecurity situation was a matter of concern for everyone.

He added that the summit showed the importance of synergy among the government, citizens, security agencies, and traditional rulers to tackle the insecurity menace in the country.

The summit later set up a five-man high powered committee to work on grey areas and come up with a report that would be deliberated upon for implementation within five days.