Enough Is Enough – Sultan-Led Northern Traditional Rulers Warn Tinubu Government Over Rising Killings
Northern traditional rulers, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, have expressed deep frustration over the unrelenting wave of killings and insecurity ravaging the region.
Speaking during the 7th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council in Maiduguri, the Sultan declared that traditional rulers are “more concerned” than politicians over the deteriorating situation and called for decisive action from the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
“Our coming together as traditional rulers in the North, I believe we have more than 86 in the North. We will speak with one voice to say ‘enough is enough’ of this senseless killing of innocent people across the North and across the country,” Daily Trust quoted the Sultan as saying.
He lamented that despite repeated public condemnations of violence, the killings had continued unabated.
“We have released so many statements of condemnations, but how many times do we need to condemn these killings before our political leaders and security agencies stop or reduce the insecurity in the country to the barest minimum?”
The Sultan emphasised the emotional toll the violence is taking on traditional leaders.
“We, the traditional rulers, feel bad and saddened when our people are killed by people we don’t know.
“It’s high time we worked harder, talked to ourselves and in closed door meetings discussed it. We shall advise our political leaders, they are at the helm of affairs and we will work with them.”
The meeting, themed “Enhanced Security As Panacea For Stability and Development of the North,” was attended by various northern monarchs, political leaders, and top security officials.
The Sultan reiterated that traditional rulers were not in competition with state governors but were playing a complementary role in stabilising their communities.
“As traditional rulers, we are not competing with governors of our states, we are only helping them. We will not and will never be in contention with political leadership or governors,” he clarified.
Behind closed doors, the traditional council deliberated extensively on the worsening security crisis, particularly in Borno State.
The Sultan mentioned reports of a resurgence of Boko Haram activities, especially in remote communities.
“We heard some comments that Boko Haram is returning, and I say Insha Allah (God willing) Almighty Allah will give us the strength and wherewithal to defeat them,” he said.
Appealing to citizens not to lose faith, he said, “Yes, there is insecurity in some parts of Borno, but there is insecurity everywhere in the world, not only in Nigeria.
“For some of us that have gone round the world will know, more people are being killed in some developed countries everyday than the total amount of people killed in Nigeria in one month or two months.”
However, he condemned the alarming rate of violent killings across the country.
“What happened in Plateau yesterday, and within the week, over 100 people were killed. It’s very bad because people appear from somewhere, kill you and they are never arrested.
“Before them, people were killed in Sokoto on Sallah day, killed in Kebbi, as so many other places. If you put together the total number of people killed in the country in the last one month it is so high.”
The Sultan also cautioned against the ethnic and religious profiling of criminals, warning that criminality knows no boundaries.
“In every tribe or religion, there are good and bad eggs. So, let’s not look at some people and say they are the cause of our problems.”
Declaring the meeting open, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Governor Babagana Zulum, said there is an urgent need to focus on youth empowerment in Northern Nigeria.
“Our youth population is large, energetic and eager to contribute, but many are without opportunities. This vacuum is dangerous. We must invest heavily in skills acquisition, vocational education, digital innovation and entrepreneurship.”
Governor Zulum also underscored the importance of agriculture in the regional economy.
“Agriculture has remained the economic lifeline for the North, hence deliberate effort is needed to enhance farming activities across the region.”
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Assistant Inspector-General Kenechikwu Onwuemelie of Zone 15, also addressed the gathering.
He stressed that “sustainable security can only be achieved through a whole of society approach,” and pledged continued partnership and support from the Nigeria Police Force in the fight against insecurity.
The meeting took place amid rising insecurity in Borno and other northern states.
Last week, Governor Zulum raised fresh concerns over renewed Boko Haram attacks in the state, stating that insurgents had dislodged military formations in several towns including Wulgo, Sabon Gari, Wajirko, and Izge.