Northern traditional rulers back Tinubu’s security efforts

…Seek United Action Against Poverty, Social Vices

Northern traditional rulers have endorsed ongoing federal efforts to tackle insecurity, calling for stronger collaboration among governments, traditional institutions, religious leaders and communities to address the social and economic conditions driving instability across the region.

The call was made at the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held in Dutse, Jigawa State, where Umar Namadi, Governor of Jigawa State, said sustainable peace in Northern Nigeria can only be achieved through a collective approach that combines military action with social and economic interventions.

Governor Namadi commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intensifying military operations, improving intelligence gathering and strengthening coordination among security agencies in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes affecting parts of the country.

Speaking at the meeting themed “Peace, Unity and Development of the North,” the governor said insecurity remains one of the greatest obstacles to development in the region and requires the active participation of governments, traditional rulers, religious leaders and citizens.

He observed that Northern Nigeria continues to face multiple challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, poverty, youth unemployment, drug abuse, climate-related pressures, farmer-herder conflicts and the increasing number of out-of-school children.

According to him, no single institution possesses the capacity to solve the complex problems confronting the region, making collaboration and community participation indispensable.

Namadi said peace and security remain central to his administration’s development agenda and stressed that stronger partnerships with traditional institutions and community leaders would help improve conflict resolution, intelligence sharing and public trust.

He also urged traditional rulers to pay greater attention to the social problems weakening families and communities, including poverty, substance abuse, poor parental guidance and inadequate access to education, warning that such conditions often create fertile ground for criminal recruitment and violent extremism.

Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, described the gathering as timely in view of the security and socio-economic challenges confronting Northern Nigeria and the country as a whole.

The Sultan said insecurity, poverty, education and youth development should remain at the centre of policy discussions because their impact is felt by communities across the region regardless of state boundaries.

“We are all victims of insecurity. We are all affected by the growing number of children who are out of school. We are all concerned about the levels of poverty facing our people,” he said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of traditional rulers to supporting governments at all levels in promoting peace, stability and development, noting that traditional institutions remain critical partners in conflict prevention, community mobilisation and grassroots engagement.

According to the Sultan, governors and traditional rulers share a common responsibility of ensuring peace and improving the welfare of citizens, adding that stronger cooperation between both institutions would contribute significantly to addressing Northern Nigeria’s challenges.

The meeting attracted traditional rulers from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, alongside senior government officials, security chiefs and other stakeholders expected to deliberate on practical solutions to insecurity and social instability.

The renewed call for collaboration comes at a time when several northern states continue to witness security challenges despite sustained military offensives against criminal groups. States including Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Niger have experienced repeated attacks by bandits and other armed groups, leading to the loss of lives, displacement of communities and disruption of farming and commercial activities.

In recent months, security forces have intensified operations across the North-West under various joint military campaigns aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves, rescuing kidnapped victims and recovering arms from criminal gangs. Several operations have resulted in the destruction of hideouts and the neutralisation or arrest of suspected terrorists and bandits, while troops continue clearance operations in vulnerable communities.

However, security experts and community leaders have repeatedly argued that military action alone cannot guarantee lasting peace without addressing underlying socio-economic issues such as unemployment, illiteracy, poverty and drug abuse that expose young people to criminal recruitment.

The discussions at the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council meeting reflected growing consensus among political and traditional leaders that a comprehensive strategy combining security operations with education, economic empowerment, social welfare and community engagement remains essential for restoring lasting peace and
accelerating development across Northern Nigeria.