Umuahia, Abia State – The Northern Traditional Rulers Council for the South-South and South-East regions has pledged full support to security agencies and state governments in addressing security challenges across the two regions.
The Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Yaro Danladi, made this known on Sunday while briefing journalists on resolutions reached at the council’s two-day emergency meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State.
Danladi, who also serves as the leader of the Hausa Community in Abia, said the meeting was convened in response to emerging security concerns and reaffirmed the commitment of northern communities to peaceful coexistence with their host states.
“We resolved to work hand-in-hand with state governors, host communities and security agencies to promote peace and harmony,” he said.
According to him, the council also agreed to support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence. In Abia State, representatives will be appointed across the 17 local government areas to ensure the swift flow of security information.
“Once any incident occurs, information will reach me within minutes, and I will immediately contact the Commissioner of Police, the DSS or the state security adviser,” Danladi stated.
He stressed that the council would not shield criminals within northern communities, noting that anyone found engaging in criminal activities would be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
“We do not support criminality. Anyone involved in crime will be arrested and handed over to the appropriate authorities,” he said.
Danladi also urged youths in northern communities to respect the laws of their host states and live peacefully with their neighbours, adding that many northerners had resided in the regions for generations.
“Some of our people have lived here since the 1940s. We have intermarried and lived as one family, and we want that relationship to continue,” he added.
Similarly, the Leader of the Hausa Community in Enugu State, Alhaji Abubakar Sambo, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to strengthening peace, security and cooperation in the South-East and South-South.
Sambo, who is also the National Vice Chairman of the Inter-Tribal Traditional Leaders Association of Nigeria, said the meeting resolved to establish coordinated community structures down to local government and community levels to enhance intelligence gathering and information sharing.
“We discussed ways to improve peaceful coexistence with our host communities and how to support state governments, particularly in intelligence gathering within northern communities,” he said.
He added that representatives would be appointed in all areas where northerners reside—Muslims and Christians alike—to improve coordination, welfare delivery and security reporting.
Sambo further reaffirmed the traditional role of the Sarkin Hausawa as the recognised leader and first point of contact for northern communities in each state.
“When issues arise, the first point of call should be the palace of the Sarkin Hausawa. That is the tradition handed down by our forefathers,” he said.
In Cross River State, the Head of the Hausa Muslim Umma, Alhaji Garba Lawan, said northern communities had continued to enjoy cordial relations with host communities and state governments, attributing it to mutual respect and cooperation.
Addressing concerns over scavenging activities, Lawan noted that the trade was not exclusive to northerners, adding that community leaders had consistently sensitised members on lawful conduct.
He recalled that scavenging had been banned in Cross River for over a year due to security concerns but was recently lifted following consultations and agreements with stakeholders.
According to him, those involved in the trade are now expected to strictly comply with regulations and avoid any form of illegal activity.
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