Insecurity And Rogue Royals

Anyone implicated in the current security crisis should be made to face the law

What started as insurgency in the Northeast has sadly mutated into the twin scourge of banditry and kidnapping for ransom in the Northwest and North central zones of the country. Perpetrated almost daily, especially in the rural areas where innocent villagers are maimed, raped, extorted, and killed, it is unfortunate that the rogues behind these brazen acts of criminality and lawlessness continue to have a field day. In several instances, accusing fingers have, at different times, been pointed at unnamed traditional rulers who allegedly collude with bandits and kidnappers to traumatise the people in some of the worst affected communities.

However, in a name and shame development that caught many by surprise, the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle recently suspended the Emirs of Zurmi and Dansadau as well as the District Head of Nasarawa Mailayi over allegation that they were involved in these nefarious activities. Such allegation is perplexing and highly concerning. Indeed, nothing can be more troubling than when traditional rulers collude with bandits and kidnappers to inflict misery and agony on their own communities.

While we believe that the law should be followed and all the accused persons be deemed innocent until they are convicted in a court of law, the growing involvement of traditional rulers in a crime of this nature poses huge challenge to our national security. Early this year, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) wielded the hammer on the chief of the Anagada community in Gwagwalada Area Council after intelligence report indicted him of complicity in the insecurity and kidnapping ravaging his domain.

It is regrettable that the traditional institution is gradually being debased on account of the unwholesome conduct of some custodians. A situation where the repository of the peoples’ culture and values are conniving with criminals to kidnap and commit banditry is sacrilegious. It is an abuse of the privilege and trust reposed on that institution and it should be treated as a criminal act in line with the law of the land.

Given that the occupiers of traditional stools are deemed the closest to the grassroots, the authorities must go beyond merely dethroning those implicated for conniving with bandits and kidnappers for pecuniary gains. If truly, we want to win the war against hardened criminals that are making life harsh and unbearable for the people in many communities across the country, anyone implicated should be prosecuted, and convicted if found guilty, to deter others. We must not gloss over this gross criminality.

This is a serious issue considering the implications. The national economy has been at the receiving end of sustained insurgency in addition to the escalation in banditry and kidnapping. The destruction of lives and property has come at a huge price in form of losses in local and foreign investments. The impact on education is also significant. A situation where students are arbitrarily abducted while in schools is already a serious problem. There is also the concern about food security as many farmers have neglected their farms for fear of being abducted for ransom or killed.

Ordinarily, traditional rulers have a responsibility to protect their subjects from the risks, harm and vulnerabilities posed by the prevalence of banditry, kidnapping and conflicts. It is therefore unfortunate that some of these people are now the enablers of crimes within their communities. At an emergency security meeting with traditional rulers and graded chiefs and chairpersons of the six area councils in Abuja in February, Minister of State for FCT, Ramatu Aliyu, said “Royal stools are now being bastardised by some traditional rulers”, warning the traditional rulers that poverty should be no excuse “to betray the trust bestowed on you as a traditional ruler and the custodian of our traditions.”

Until the security agencies begin to fish out those who collude with criminals and bring them to justice, regardless of their status within the society, it will be practically impossible to resolve the security challenge that now threatens the peace and stability of our country.

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A situation where the repository of the peoples’ culture and values are conniving with criminals to kidnap and commit banditry is sacrilegious

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