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Traditional rulers in the sub-Saharan region had from early ages shouldered the burden of our tradition and culture of villages and rural communities. They often oversee and resolve marriage, land and other disputes among the rural dwellers under their jurisdiction. However, times have changed and the roles of traditional rulers are evolving but, with democratic dispensation, state governments have suddenly started involving traditional rulers to handle security roles that inevitably would endanger their lives in governance at local government level. Some were allowed to be signatories to recruitment of security personnel. This is in recognition of their role that has suddenly started blowing up their ego and personality.
In South Africa and Ghana, “The chieftaincy institution is a unique one and needs tact and wisdom to deal with. For this reason, any government in power needs wisdom to administer its workings. Chiefs (traditional rulers), for that matter, offer advice to government on matters relating to chieftaincy and customary matters, Another role of the chiefs (traditional rulers) is that they are able to hold the community together. As the unifying force in their respective communities, chiefs(traditional rulers) unite and create harmony among the people in their various chiefdoms”.
Since 2008 when the country was embroidered in terrorist activities, many traditional rulers have either lost their lives or have been kidnapped for ransom. The question is, who would save the traditional rulers in Nigeria from harms-way . Record shows that over twenty traditional rulers have either been killed or kidnapped across the country. Due to their deep involvement in security matters, they have become easy targets and prey to armed criminals especially terrorists and bandits.
Recently, the Governor of Taraba State, Mr Agbu Kefas, summoned all the traditional rulers in the state as part of measures to tackle insecurity and illegal mining activities in the state.
He urged the traditional rulers to collaborate for immediate curbing of insecurity and illegal mining. According to Kefas, “As custodians of our rich culture or cultural heritage and the pillars of our communities and my administration, your guidance and wisdom are invaluable in addressing the pressing security challenges that have confronted the state. “The challenge of insecurity requires urgent need for collaboration and the urgent need to curb illegal mining activities. Taraba State, like many parts of Nigeria, has been grappling with the scourge of insecurity.
“The rampant spread of illegal mining activities in the state requires our immediate attention. While mining holds great potential for economic growth, the unregulated and illegal mining practices pose significant threats to our environment, economic and social values. These activities lead to environmental degradation, health hazards and exploitation of vulnerable communities.
Also in Abia and Plateau States, their governors, in response to the rising insecurity in their states, have also involved traditional rulers to assist the government in curbing insecurity. One therefore wonder why governors are quick to engage traditional rulers in issues of insecurity in their states. Traditional rulers are not trained in security matters. In recognizing their dilemma, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, after the recent terrorist attack in the state where some persons were mercilessly killed, engaged the security agencies in discussion and new strategies, instead of involving traditional rulers. He understands that their role should not be hazardous like that of the military but ensuring that their domain is peaceful and habitable.
Involving traditional rulers in security activities is like coating the leg of a goat with fresh blood and exposing it on the path of a lion or any ferocious animal, the result is already known.
Governors that involve traditional rulers shy away from their responsibilities to maintain security of their states, after all, was that not why billions of naira security vote was made available to them?
Apart from Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kwara, Ogun and Kastina states, there had been no record that Taraba State government had ever provided security equipment for the police in the state. If the governor’s panacea is to further endanger the lives of harmless and unarmed traditional rulers, he should be informed that such is not the constitutional role of traditional rulers, even under state rule. How can a son allow his old father to man the security of their house? That is absurd and should not be encouraged. Traditional rulers are not trained in security matters and they can only be involved by passing intelligence or information to the security agencies.
This is the reason for the clamour for the establishment of a state police system, instead of endangering the lives of our traditional rulers.
Unfortunately, traditional rulers that welcome the idea of foistering the role of combating insecurity are mostly interested in having a share in the security votes, which has no accountability. No wonder traditional rulers in Imo State will object to any modicum of reasoning that security is not part of their role, since the governor recently shared new cars to traditional rulers across 27 LGs in the state.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring countries like Ghana, no traditional ruler is allowed to be entangled in roles other than traditional customs and culture sequel to their proximity and authority to preserve customs and traditions derived from the local law.
Had the Buhari administration concluded the establishment of state security system, all the loopholes made available for governors to spend security votes would have been sealed. The unnecessary extravagant lifestyle often exhibited would have been better utilized in providing security for their local governments. It is obvious that once state police has been established, the presence of vigilantes and militia groups would be phased out of existence. State police system would eradicate security votes, thereby making votes appropriated for the state police system to be accountable. A time was when local government chairmen would hold local government security committee, which comprised representatives of each security agency, including the traditional rulers, to deliberate on security problems affecting the local government. It was at such meetings that intelligence reports about the activities of criminals and other related criminal activities are disclosed.
In those days, the outcome of such meetings are kept very secret without any of the security personels disclosing what so ever was disclosed at the meeting. Even when security report is written, the identity of the traditional ruler is concealed . Not so any more. If we should ask the question, who discloses the identity of traditional ruler to bandits and kidnappers?, Thereby endangering their lives.
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Congratulations
Security File wishes to congratulate the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Olukayode Egbetokun, and other service chiefs, including the new National Security Advisor (NSA), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu (retired AIG), whose appointment has been described as the game changer of the office of the NSA from the military; an office formerly controlled by the military, now reversed appropriately to the police.
