Emir’s killing: Arewa groups demand action, accountability from governors

The Rebuild Arewa Initiative for Development (RAID) and the Northern Consensus Movement (NCM) have condemned the abduction and murder of Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, the Emir of Gobir.

They urged governors in the northern region to fulfil their responsibilities and called on the federal government to develop new strategies to secure lives and property.

President of RAID, Balarabe Rufai, expressed dismay at the killings of innocent citizens and traditional rulers in the region and called for more proactive measures from security agencies.

The group criticised the Sokoto State Government’s handling of the situation, alleging a lack of professionalism that contributed to the monarch’s death.

They urged the Minister of Defense, the Minister of State of Defense, and heads of security organisations to intensify efforts to restore security in the north.

Rufai said, “We in RAID, NCM, and all of Northern Nigeria are highly disappointed with the Sokoto State Government. As the chief security officer of the state, he demonstrated poor capacity in protecting the royal father who served his people for more than 40 years.

“We observe with dismay the killings of innocent citizens and traditional rulers by criminal elements and call for more proactive measures from security agencies. We urge governors to prioritise insecurity as a top agenda of governance, especially in states like Niger, Taraba, Katsina, and Zamfara, where recent attacks have been severe.

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“We say without mincing words that enough is enough of the killings of our traditional fathers in Northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large. We condemn these acts and will not relent in our efforts to curtail these heinous activities.

“Insecurities and killings of innocent citizens have been growing unabated, as if there is no government in place.”

The group condemned the killings of traditional rulers, stating “enough is enough,” and vowed to continue community engagement to combat these activities.