Security challenges: Sultan wants conference, symposia recommendations implemented

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has challenged relevant authorities in the country to summon the courage to implement conferences/symposia recommendations aimed at resolving various security challenges confronting the nation.

Abubakar made the call in a goodwill message on Thursday at the 2nd security summit organised by the Nigeria Police in collaboration with the Leadership Newspapers.

He said that failure to implement those recommendations to address challenges such as farmers/herdsmen clashes, pipeline vandalism, oil theft and other forms of criminality made them keep reoccurring.

The sultan appealed to Nigerians to place national security above their individual liberties.

“We are never short of recommendations for problems, if these recommendations are implemented, there will be no need for this conference,’’ he said.

The Sultan noted that those recommendations were not implemented because of certain individual personal interests.

Apart from the recurring farmers/herdsmen clashes, the Sultan identified the social media, political intolerance, corruption and unemployment as other threats to national security.

Abubakar said that anyone who took up arms against a fellow Nigerian or government “is a criminal’’, who must be dealt with in accordance with the law.

While calling on the law enforcement agencies to be up and alive in their responsibilities, the Sultan urged the people to be patriotic.

In his contribution, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, called for justice and equity, adding that the reason why people take up arms against one another or government must be addressed.

The Ooni also called for the provision of employment opportunities for the teeming youths to meaningfully engage them and turn away their attention from crime.

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, who spoke on behalf of the governors present at the summit, proposed the establishment of cattle ranches to end the farmers/herdsmen clashes.

Ortom said that would be the permanent solution to the crisis, noting that while the population and human activities continued to grow, the land remained static with no more space for open grazing.