By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
The federal government has been urged to reorganise and revamp the security architecture of the country using modern technology as well ensure massive recruitment of the right caliber of personnel with the active involvement of community leaders in the process.
The call was contained in a 9-point communique appended to by the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Isma’ ila Mera and Isah Abubakar Shuni , Chairman and Secretary respectively of the communique drafting committee and issued to reporters Tuesday night at the end of a one day town hall meeting on security situation across Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States axis.
It also called on the three tiers of government to redefine the role of traditional authorities, noting their historical roles of alternative dispute resolution towards effective safety, security management as well judicial and conflict resolution accordingly.
To this end, the meeting urged the federal government to accordingly initiate a national traditional authorities conference on domestic and border security with implementable resolutions at local and state levels respectively.
” Therefore, any traditional ruler found to be involved in banditry or any criminal activities should not only be deposed but also prosecuted in line with extant procedures and due process'”, the communique recommended.
The meeting organised by the Sultanate Council, Sokoto in collaboration with the Sokoto state Council of the NUJ also noted that the ongoing dialogue with bandits should be encouraged and further reappraised all stakeholders involved to ensure peace prevailed.
“The dialogue is in line with Islamic tenets and should be supported and encouraged”, it stressed.
While it further caution the media not to glamorise the exploits of criminals , such as kidnappers in order not to entice gullible youth into engaging selves in the act, the meeting according to the communique also urged relevant investigative agencies to expedite action in prosecuting suspects awaiting trial over alleged heinous crimes as banditry, kidnapping and murder, noting that quick dispensation of justice would serve as deterrent to others.
Accordingly, the communique however , resolved with strong affirmation readiness of traditional leaders to support the good works of political leaders in their efforts at providing good governance to he citizens.
In attendance at the all important meeting that lasted hours held at the auditorium hall of the Sultan Muhammadu Maccido Institute for Quranic and General Studies, Sokoto were Governor Aminu WaziriTambuwal of Sokoto state, his deputy, Muhammadu Manor Dan Iya, Governor of Kebbi state represented by his deputy, Samaila Yombe Dabai, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Emirs of Gwandu, Yauri, Zamfara, Argungu, Mafara, Dansadau and Maru.
Also present were the AIG Zone 10, representative of the Minister for Police Affairs and former governor Yahaya Abdulkareem, District and village Heads including Islamic and Christian clerics as well as members of the Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states Executive councils.
