The Sultan of Sokoto has said that putting an end to banditry in the North may take decades.
I regret to inform you that putting an end to the prevalent banditry in the North-West region may require a considerable amount of time, potentially spanning decades. This was highlighted by the esteemed President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, during his address at the North-West Peace and Security Summit in Katsina State.
His Excellency stressed the urgency of addressing the banditry issue, recognizing the serious consequences it poses to the well-being and security of the region's inhabitants. Furthermore, he underscored the willingness of traditional rulers to work in partnership with security agencies and Northern governors to mitigate the challenges stemming from banditry and insurgency in the area.
His Highness expressed optimism that the summit would yield actionable proposals aimed at significantly minimizing the impact of insurgency, thus allowing the populace to resume their daily activities and businesses without fear. The regions of Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kano, and Jigawa have particularly endured the consequences of rampant banditry, resulting in the tragic loss and displacement of countless vulnerable individuals.