2019: Northern monarchs speak on security situation in region

Northern Traditional Rulers Council has expressed concern that the rising wave of kidnapping, banditry, farmers–herders’ conflicts, insurgency and other criminalities in the region may affect the conduct of the 2019 elections. Rising from its 5th General Assembly with the theme: ‘Pervasive Insecurity in an Election Year: Perspectives and Challenges’, it called on the government and security agencies to do everything possible to curtail the menaces.

In a communiqué signed and issued yesterday by HRH Justice Lawal Hassan, Emir of Gummi, and Chairman, Coordinating Committee of the council, the traditional rulers resolved to have frequent consultations among themselves across the country for the purpose of exchanging ideas and promotion of community security.

Also, the traditional rulers expressed unease over the prevalence of religious and ethnic prejudices in politics.

They reminded politicians that a democratic society could not be established through violence, injustice, and impunity.

According to the communiqué, “The Assembly noted that one of the major underlying causes for the incessant farmers-herders’ conflicts is the unavailability of adequate grazing reserves and historical livestock routes that have been taken over or encroached upon. “We, therefore, call for the provision of grazing reserves and livestock routes that should be gazetted and protected, and urge states to embrace peace and dialogue towards these developments.”

The Assembly also noted that insurgents were now launching renewed onslaught on military formations and ransacking communities in the North-East.

It also noted that bandits were terrorising the North-West, farmers-herders’ conflicts were rife in the North Central while kidnapping was becoming endemic in all parts of the country.

The council chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, also had in attendance representatives of governors of Kaduna, Niger and Plateau states.

Also present were INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse, retired Brigadier-General Buba Marwa.