Sokoto, Nigeria — The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, has issued a stark warning that it will take decades to eradicate the entrenched issue of banditry in Northwest Nigeria. Speaking at the ‘Inaugural North West Peace and Security Summit’ in Katsina on Monday, the Sultan emphasized the long-term nature of the security challenge.
Addressing the summit, the Sultan highlighted the severity and lasting impact of banditry and insurgency in the region. “What we must do is challenge these bandits because we all know the consequences of banditry and insurgency on our lives,” he stated. “But it will take decades to get out of it if at all we get out of it. We all know the consequences and the problems.”
The monarch underscored the readiness of traditional rulers to work in concert with security agencies and northern governors to combat these security threats. He expressed hope that the summit would yield actionable proposals to significantly reduce insurgency, allowing residents to resume their normal lives and businesses.
“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,” he added.
The summit was a high-profile event attended by key figures including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, governors from the seven states in the north-west geopolitical zone, service chiefs, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, were also present.
The gathering aimed to address the escalating security issues in the region and seek collaborative efforts to mitigate the ongoing threats posed by banditry and insurgency. The Sultan’s remarks underscored the complexity and deep-rooted nature of the challenges, calling for sustained and coordinated efforts from all stakeholders involved.
