.Stop ethnic profiling of killers in Plateau, IGP warns
AHMED MARI, Maiduguri and DANIEL DAUDA, Jos
To fight Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes, the traditional rulers from Northern Nigeria met in Maiduguri, Borno state capital on Tuesday to discuss and proffer solutions to the security challenges facing the North and the country at large.
Speaking at the 7th Executive Council Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers in Maiduguri on Tuesday, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Ibn Sa’adu Abubakar III warned the perpetrators of killings and other crimes in Northern Nigeria and other parts of the country.
He said it is time for action in addressing the security challenges facing the nation than discussions and meetings to address the security challenges facing the nation, stressing that “Almighty Allah will judge every one of us in the position of authority if we allow innocent lives to be killed.
“We are here to help you, the political leaders, to address the security challenges facing the North. We are not here to compete with you or the security agencies but collectively we will work to find solutions to our security challenges”, the Sultan said.
According to him, the security agencies are doing well and they need to do more to address the insecurity. You have to use intelligence gathering and work closely with us the traditional rulers to proffer solutions to the security challenges facing our dear country”.
He urged Nigerians to stop ethnicising crime or criminalized ethnic groups, as anybody found wanting for any crime should be treated as a criminal.
Declaring the meeting open, the Vice President Kashim Shettima assured the gathering that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu would work closely with the traditional institution to address the security challenges facing the nation.
Represented by Governor Babagana Zulum, he commended the military for safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation and urged them to do more.
“It is my honour and privilege to declare the 7th Executive Council meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers holding here today in Maiduguri”, the VP said.
Also speaking, the Borno state Governor, Prof Zulum said “where there is no peace, no education, no agriculture, no commercial and economic activities take place.
He assured the traditional rulers that the Nigerian Governors’ Forum will work with the National Assembly to ensure that the traditional rulers are assigned a constitutional role.
Also, the Chairman of the Northern Governor’s Forum, and the Governor of Gombe State, Alh Inuwa Yahaya urged the security agencies to stop competing with each other, as security is everybody’s business.
Governor Yahaya, who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Manass Jatau said “security agencies are suppose to complement each other but not to compete with each other”.
He assured of the Northern Governors’ Forum commitment to work with the traditional rulers to address the security challenges facing the region.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa represented by the Theater Commander, Major General Wahidi Shuabu assured the gathering that the Nigerian Armed Forces will work with the traditional rulers to tackle insecurity in the country.
In his goodwill message, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by AIG Zone 15, AIG, Kenchukwu Owole advocated for cultural and moral rebirth.
Meanwhile, the IGP, Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Kayode Egbetokun, has cautioned Nigerians against supporting ethnic profiling of criminal elements.
Egbetokun said the age-long habit of shielding criminal elements among communities sparks rising insecurity in Nigeria.
He issued the warning on Tuesday at Old Government House Rayfield, Jos, when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Caleb Mutfwang following the unfortunate attacks on some communities in Bassa local government on Sunday, which claimed about 51 lives.
While condemning the dastardly act, he assured that all security agencies are working round the clock to return Plateau to its usual status as the “Home of Peace and Tourism.”
“This is my third time of visiting Plateau within one year three months in office. I want to convey my condolences to the Governor and the entire people of Plateau over the unfortunate incidents that occurred on 29th March and 2nd April, 2025, in Bokkos LGA and recently on Sunday 13th April, 2025, in Bassa local government.
“We have increased deployment of personnel in Plateau. More operational assets were on ground in which the operation is ongoing to fish out perpetrators and brought them to justice.
“The criminals are exploiting Nigerians and they will soon be surprised”, IG stated.
He appreciated Governor Caleb Mutfwang support for security agencies and promised to continue working in synergy to end the menace.
Governor Mutfwang revealed that the state has continued to receive tremendous support from President Bola Tinubu and head of security agencies.
Mutfwang confirmed that what has happened recently in Bokkos and Bassa local governments is a clear murder and genocide.
“I wondered what a child of three years, a 70-year-old person, did to deserve such inhumane treatment.
“It is not just about Plateau but we need to have a way of dealing with this issue, and prevent possible occurrences by working together with security agencies. We must reduce criminality to the barest minimum”, Governor Mutfwang narrated.
Governor Mutfwang earlier on Tuesday visited affected communities in Bassa to assess the situation before receiving the Police IG.
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