The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, has painted a sobering picture of the challenges posed by banditry in the North-West geopolitical zone, stating that it will take decades to overcome the security menace.
Speaking at the North-West Peace and Security Summit held in Katsina State on Monday, the Sultan, who also serves as the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), emphasized the severity of the situation.
He highlighted the long-term consequences of banditry and insurgency on the lives of people in the region.
“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,” Sultan Abubakar remarked solemnly.
The summit, which aimed to address the escalating security threats in the region, gathered key stakeholders including Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, and former President Muhammadu Buhari. Also in attendance were the governors of the seven North-Western states, service chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police.
Expressing his commitment to finding solutions, the Sultan affirmed the willingness of traditional rulers to collaborate closely with security agencies and regional governors.
Their collective goal is to stem the tide of banditry and insurgency that has plagued the region for years.
“We are ready to partner with security agencies and the seven governors of the geopolitical zone to save our region from the numerous problems of banditry and insurgency,” Sultan Abubakar stated.
He expressed optimism that constructive proposals emerging from the summit would pave the way for minimizing insurgency activities, enabling people to resume normal lives and business operations.
Banditry has emerged as a significant security challenge in states such as Kaduna, Kastina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, and Jigawa over the past decade. Stemming from the North-East’s persistent Boko Haram insurgency, these bandits, often posing as herders, have wreaked havoc, resulting in the deaths and displacement of thousands of vulnerable individuals.
Efforts to tackle the issue through non-kinetic approaches have seen limited success, with farmers driven from their lands and significant disruptions to food production in the affected areas.
The Sultan’s remarks underscored the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for coordinated efforts at various levels to address the root causes of banditry and restore peace and stability to the North-West region.