The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, has declared it will take “decades” for the North-West geopolitical zone and Nigeria, in general to escape the pangs of banditry. The traditional ruler expressed his thoughts at the ongoing 2-day security summit titled “Regional Cooperation for Securing Lives and Livelihoods in North-West Nigeria” and organized by the North-West Governor’s Forum in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“What we must do is to challenge these bandits because we all know the consequences of banditry and insurgency on our lives. 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,” he said.
The Sultan, however, offered a helping hand, saying traditional rulers are ready to assist government efforts to tackle the menace to “save our region from the numerous problems” of banditry and insurgency.
“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 said.
Meanwhile, at the event, the vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented the president urged the Sokoto state government to protect the Sultan amidst rumours the state government is planning to depose the ruler.
“In all developmental issues in this country, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, I want to use him as a point of reference to recognize and appreciate all our royal fathers present here.
“And to the deputy governor of Sokoto, I have a simple message for you, Yes, the Sultan is the Sultan of Sokoto, but he is much more than that; he represents an idea, he is an Institution, that all of us in this country need to jealousy guard, protect, promote, preserve and project for the growth of our nation,” the VP said.
