North-east governors: Traditional rulers conniving with bandits in our states

The North-east Governors’ Forum has alleged that some traditional rulers are aiding banditry in the geopolitical zone.

The forum’s position is contained in a communique issued after a meeting held on Saturday in Maiduguri, the Borno capital.

The governors said the states in the geopolitical zone, particularly Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba, have seen an increase in criminal activities due to the influx of bandits.

“While acknowledging the relative success recorded against insurgency, a new dimension of growing banditry is added to worsen the security situation in the subregion,” the communique signed by Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno and chairman of the forum, reads.

“The forum calls on the federal government to urgently intervene to address the issue.

“The forum is aware that some traditional rulers and other local authorities are conniving with the bandits, giving them shelter and cover to commit crimes within the subregion.”

The forum vowed to bring down the hammer on any traditional ruler or community leader conniving or providing cover for bandits.

The governors also resolved to tackle illegal mining activities in their states which is fuelling insecurity.

On climate change, the forum said the silting of rivers and deforestation caused by massive charcoal business has compounded the situation.

The governors called for effective control of deforestation with stern regulation to address the menace.