*Advocates establishment of command, control centre to coordinate joint efforts against terrorism, bandit, kidnappers
By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani on Wednesday, called on Northern Traditional Rulers Council to develop a common strategy and operational plan to tackle insecurities in the country.
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe who represented Senator Uba Sani made this known at the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council meeting held at Arewa House in Kaduna.
The meeting which had for its theme, “Enhanced Security as a Panacea for Stability and Development of the North” was attended by His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, Chairmen of Council of Traditional Rulers’ from Northern states and representatives of security chiefs.
She extended Uba Sani’s felicitation and also conveyed his goodwill message to the traditional rulers.
According to her, the governor welcomed traditional rulers from Northern Nigeria to Kaduna State, adding that the gathering shows clearly that they are responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of their people.
The governor conveyed regrets for not being there personally, while extending his best wishes for a fruitful meeting.
“Unfortunately this same region has now become the centre of banditry and terrorism and kidnapping.
“Our local economy has been destroyed, poverty level is unsettling, our people are deeply worried, they ask questions they yarn for actions.
“Leaders whether political or traditional, must therefore, brace up to face these challenges.
“For us as political leaders, we have responsibilities to address challenges especially in the area of education, healthcare, agriculture, poverty and unemployment, hence priority must also be given to infrastructure development”. He said.
He said, states in the North must forge strong partnership on security and other developmental issues and concerns around agriculture, power and infrastructure, especially roads which he said are critical areas they must collaborate to revitalise the economy and address the challenges of poverty and insecurity.
“Northern states must develop a common strategy and operational plan to tackle insecurity.
“We must establish a command and control centre to coordinate our joint effort against terrorism, bandit, kidnappers against and other criminal element within this region.
“Northern traditional rulers must take the lead in the execution of operations geared towards the winning of hearts and minds of the people at the grassroot.
“You have huge responsibilities, to mobilize and sensitize our people, to support security forces to degree terrorist and bandit, we must establish early warning systems and intelligent gathering mechanisms within our communities.
“Our main weapon must be people, because terrorists, bandits insurgents also live among us.
“Northern Political leaders must work closely with traditional rulers to stabilise our communities, in this democratic dispensation it has become paramount that traditional rulers have bigger and more impacting roles to play within our communities.
“We must restore the glory of the traditional institutions if we want better for our security and stability”. He declared.
Earlier in his remarks, His Eminence, Chairman, Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR mni expressed gratitude to the creator for the gathering.
“All the invitees of securities chiefs are also here to interact with us because of their concern of insecurities in the North,” he said.
He noted that they are lacking sources of normal living as they cannot fold their hands and say things are okay, while things are not okay in Nigeria and the North.
“Therefore, we are to discuss and send to some of the stakeholders who are absent because we own it a duty to see that the efforts of the council will meet up with all this issues,” he added.
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