• Calls on traditional rulers to reduce menace
By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), a civil society organisation, has issued a warning, stating that no one is safe given the extent of insecurity in the nation.
The group said the situation might not improve unless all levels of governments figure out a way to incorporate the traditional institutions into the national security architecture.
National Coordinator of the group, Sheriff Mulade, stated this while addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, noting that traditional rulers, as custodians of culture and traditions in their kingdoms, are more familiar and abreast with their domains and environment.
According to him, the monarchs are in a strategic position as leaders to effectively take leadership and control of their areas because of their in-depth understanding of their immediate domains.
Sheriff said the traditional rulers be given the responsibility to protect lives and property in their domains in collaboration with security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
He noted that such strong collaboration will go a long way towards bringing the security challenges under control.
According to the environmental activist, the actions of bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements who hide in communities or within a traditional ruler’s domain and carry out their nefarious activities are embarrassing Nigeria internationally and jeopardising the nation’s economic progress.
“CEPEJ calls on the governments, at all levels, and state apparatuses to consider the role of traditional institutions in the nation’s security architecture, in the fight against insecurity, to foster national economic growth and stability.
“The Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, should take proactive steps to ensure traditional rulers are at the forefront of the fight against insecurity nationwide. Efforts should be made to bring them on board and give them the opportunity to play their parts towards rescuing our dear country from criminals, and restoring peace in line with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. No price is too much to pay for peace,” he said.
The CEPEJ boss emphasised his appeal for the traditional institutions to be actively involved in security and called the president’s attention to the five deadly monster indicators of insecurity in Nigeria – political insecurity, religious, economic insecurity, traditional/communal insecurity and criminal/unemployment insecurity, which need to be seriously and proactively handled right away to rescue the country.
Sheriff said: “The recent surge in crime, particularly kidnapping, poses a grave threat to the safety and security of our citizens. Despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies, the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity, wreaking havoc on innocent lives and instilling fear in our communities. It is evident that a holistic approach, which leverages the expertise and influence of traditional rulers, is essential to effectively combatting this scourge.
“I urge Mr. President to consider the invaluable contribution that traditional institutions can make in addressing these pressing challenges. By forging strong partnerships between the government and traditional rulers, we can harness the collective wisdom, resources, and legitimacy of our diverse communities to foster peace, prosperity, and progress for all Nigerians.
“Governments, at all levels, should adopt a strong working relationship with traditional rulers by collaborating/communicating with, as well as commending them towards ending insecurity, and stabilising the growth of our economy to truly reflect Nigeria as the biggest economy in, and giant of Africa.”