- The monarch expressed the readiness of traditional rulers to partner with security agencies and Northern governors to “save our region from the numerous problems” of banditry and insurgency.
- He believed that at the end of the summit, proposals to bring insurgency to the barest minimum for people to go about their lives and businesses would be arrived at.
Muhammad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, says it will take decades for the north-west to be free from the menacing security challenge.
The Sultan spoke at the “Inaugural North West Peace and Security Summit”, held in Katsina on Monday.
“What we must do is to challenge these bandits because we all know the consequences of banditry and insurgency on our lives,” the Sultan said.
“But it will take decades to get out of it if all we get out of it. We all know the consequences and the problems.
The traditional ruler expressed the readiness of traditional rulers to collaborate with security agencies and northern governors to combat banditry and insurgency in the region.
“I believe that at the end of the summit, proposals to bring insurgency to the barest minimum for people to go about their lives and businesses would be arrived at.”
The event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, governors of the seven states in the north-west geopolitical zone, service chiefs, Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector general of police.
The sultan had on February 14 said insecurity and poverty are the major issues causing trouble for the people of the north.
The sultan said traditional rulers owe it a duty to Nigerians, who believe in the traditional institution, to bring solutions to the various problems facing the country.
In the last few years, bandits have been on the prowl in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano and Jigawa states.
Thousands of people, mostly vulnerable persons, have been killed and displaced by the bloodthirsty marauders who mostly disguise as herders.