NEF, ACF condemna killing of Sokoto monarch

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), two prominent groups representing the interests of the North, have condemned the murder of the District Head of Gobir in Sokoto State by suspected bandits.
In separate statements made available to the media today, both groups noted that the actions of the bandits were callous and barbaric.
NEF in its statement signed by the Forum’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdulazeez Suleiman, noted that the murder reflects a deep-seated outrage that resonates with the collective sensibilities of the northern populace, who hold their traditional leaders in high regard.
“The assassination of the District Head of Gobir represents more than a mere loss of life; it is a profound attack on cultural heritage, a disregard for customary authority, and a grim reminder of the rampant insecurity that has plagued much of Northern Nigeria.
“This act is both heinous and merciless, as well as an affront not only to the reverence traditionally afforded to emirs but also to the very values that underpin the social fabric of the region. For us in Northern Nigeria, traditional rulers symbolize stability, guidance, and communal identity.
“Their abduction and brutal killing send shockwaves through society, unsettling the already fragile trust between the people and the institutions meant to protect them.
s“This appalling act—perpetrated by bandits—stands not only as a breach of the sanctity of traditional institutions but also as a stark manifestation of the underlying chaos that pervades certain regions in Northern Nigeria.
“The NEF expresses its condolences to the Sultan of Sokoto, the family of the deceased emir, and the people of Gobir and explicitly calls for justice.
Also, the Forum demands that all relevant stakeholders, including government authorities and security agencies, take decisive steps to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.”
On its part, the Arewa Consultative Forum also condemned the murder of the monarch, expressing hope that the incident will not worsen inter-communal harmony in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, as innocent people might suffer due to the actions of a tiny group of murderous miscreants.

In a statement signed by its Spokesman, Professor Muhammad Tukur Baba, the ACF urged the Government of Sokoto State, security agencies, traditional rulers, and leaders of thought to move swiftly to calm frayed nerves and ensure that the gory incident does not lead to further breakdown of law and order while awaiting further details of the dastardly act.

While calling for calm, the ACF also called for thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding this sordid incident in its entirety.

It adds: “The ACF extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased traditional ruler, as well as to the Sokoto State Government, the Sokoto Sultanate Council, and the people of Sabon Birni Local Government Area.”

It however, reiterated its call, for the umpteenth time, for a thorough review and overhaul of Nigeria’s National Security Architecture to effectively terminate the scourge of banditry and terrorism.

“The current approach is not yielding the needed results. Incidents such as the murder of the traditional ruler, as well as other recent abductions, are poignant reminders that the problem is spreading and must be curtailed before it cripples the country.

“For now, Arewa, in particular, is on its knees. The Federal Government must act swiftly to restore peace and rebuild the people’s trust and confidence”, the statement reads in part.