Traditional rulers in Nigeria have been urged to be true custodians of the people’s tradition, as well as assisting security agencies in the ongoing fight against banditry and other insecurities bedevilling the nation.
The Chairman, Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Katsina State, Abdulrahman Abdullahi, said this while reacting over the recent dismissal and sack of the District Head of Kankara in Katsina State, Aliyu Lawal, and the suspension of the Emir of Zurmi, Atiku Abubakar, over their links with aiding and abating bandits.
Since the beginning of banditry in Katsina State about three years ago, it is the first time a traditional ruler is being suspended or sacked as a result of his involvement in the activities of bandits.
Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State is one among the 10 areas bedevilled by the activities of bandits. It is the area where 344 schoolboys were abducted, which was the first mass abduction of school children in the state.
The area also houses the Nigerian Army Super camp 4, with operation code-named, “Exercise Sahel Sanity.” It was put in place by the former Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Yusuf Buratai.
It operates from the area and extends its activities to the Northwest and parts of the North Central regions.
Apart from these incidents, reports have it that some security agencies had laid several complaints about the sacked district head, on how their efforts were being frustrated by him in the fight against banditry in the area.
It was as a result of the series of complaints that prompted the Katsina Emirate Council under the leadership of the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmuminu Usman, to set up a committee of inquiry, which indicted Lawal, paving the way for his removal as the District Head of Kankara, and the appointment of Justice Adamu Bello, as his successor.
Just days back, the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Muhammed, also suspended the Emir of Zurmi, Atiku Abubakar, over his alleged involvement in aiding and abating the activities of bandits.
These developments have generated reactions from concerned Nigerians.
Among them is the Chairman, Coalition Of Civil Society Organizations in Katsina state who called on traditional rulers to be true custodians of the people’s tradition.
Abdullahi also tasked the newly appointed district head of Kankara, Justice Adamu Bello, to not only serve the people of his domain well but to assist security agencies to win the war against banditry and other sundry crimes.
The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations’ Chairman believes that if all traditional rulers effectively and efficiently guard and rule their domains well, criminal elements will not have a place in the society.
