Stop politicising issues of insecurity, Gov. Tambuwal tells Sokoto people

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has reiterated his commitment to collaborate with traditional institutions in the fight against banditry and other security challenges across the state.

Tambuwal spoke during the state advisory security council meeting held at the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Wednesday in Sokoto.

He cautioned against politicising the issue of insecurity in the eastern part of the state, stressing that the situation should be of urgent concern to all, since it affects lives and property of everyone.

“If the bandits attack any community, they don’t distinguish between PDP and APC members. They attack anybody they meet. For this reason, we should not politicise security, health and development issues,” he said.

The governor explained that the meeting was as a result of the state security council resolution held on Monday, which called for sincere deliberations and wider consultations.

Tambuwal solicited the advice of all stakeholders in the state, and pleaded with them to furnish the forum with honest inputs and information on the actual security situation in all the affected areas.

Earlier, the sultan while condoling and commiserating with victims of banditry in the affected areas, urged citizens to pray fervently as security operatives work to control the situation.

Abubakar explained that the state security advisory council was a high-profile security forum intended to collate opinions and views from an extensive range of stakeholders.

He assured the state government of the sultanate council’s support and encouragement for an end to insecurity in the state.

“Since the 1914 amalgamation of the country the roles of the security operatives and traditional rulers have been clearly spelt out. We shall continue to play our statutory roles accordingly.

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“Our position is to inform the security agents about happenings. They in turn will then work to contain the situation. All of us should buckle up and take measures that would ensure that this problem is tackled.

“This isn’t about poverty. Relatively, we are better off than many countries,” the sultan said and encouraged the people of the state to summon courage and strength to inform security agents about any untoward development.

“It is unfortunate that those who should inform security agents about problems in their areas are scared for their lives. But, now everyone should be brave and come out with information about the bandits and their activities,” he added.

While commending security operatives for their efforts, the sultan pledged that similar meetings would be held regularly.

In his opening remarks, the state Commissioner for Security and Career Matters, Col. Garba Moyi (rtd), said the issue of security was not government’s responsibility alone.

Moyi traced the history of insecurity in the state to the encroachment of bandits from Zamfara state and Niger Republic, adding that the situation became more disturbing when some Fulani marauders became bolder in their confrontations with farmers.

He said although truce was brokered with some of the bandits by tge Tambuwal administration, the bandits had resurfaced in parts of Sabon Birni, Isa, Rabah, Tureta, Kebbe and Goronyo Local Government Areas.