The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged northern leaders, traditional rulers and citizens to unite in confronting the growing threats of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping across the region.
Speaking at the 19th Northern Traditional Rulers and Governors Meeting in Kaduna, the Sultan described insecurity as a challenge that cannot be left solely to security agencies or government officials.
He stressed that lasting peace would require cooperation from communities, traditional institutions and political leaders.
The monarch also welcomed the inauguration of a new Board of Trustees expected to coordinate regional security interventions, expressing optimism that the initiative could move beyond years of discussions and recommendations.
According to him, northern leaders had warned about violent extremism more than a decade ago and submitted proposals aimed at preventing the escalation of insecurity.
However, many of those concerns were not adequately addressed before the crisis expanded across several states.
While praising the new effort, the Sultan emphasised that meaningful progress would depend on adequate funding and genuine commitment from governments.
His remarks reflect growing frustration among northern stakeholders over the persistence of insecurity despite repeated military operations and huge public spending.
Across the region, many communities continue to face attacks, displacement and economic disruption, fuelling calls for more effective and accountable security strategies.
