Northern traditional leaders in the South-East and South-South regions have pledged to actively support state governments and security agencies in addressing regional security challenges.
The commitment was made by the Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council for the South-South and South-East, Alhaji Yaro Danladi, during a briefing in Umuahia following the council’s two-day emergency meeting.
Danladi, who also leads the Hausa Community in Abia State, said the council resolved to cooperate closely with state governors, host communities, and security agencies to promote peace and harmony.
“We have agreed to work hand-in-hand with our governors and maintain peaceful relations with the indigenous people of our host states,” he said.
He explained that the meeting was convened to address emerging security concerns and resolved that northern communities would assist security agencies by providing timely intelligence.
In Abia, representatives will be appointed in all 17 local government areas to ensure rapid reporting of incidents to the appropriate security authorities.
“Any incident will be reported to me immediately, and I will contact the Commissioner of Police, the DSS, or the state security adviser without delay,” he added.
Danladi affirmed the northern leaders’ commitment to supporting state governments in combating crime, making it clear that individuals involved in criminal activities would not be shielded.
“We do not protect criminals. Anyone involved in crime will be handed over to law enforcement for prosecution,” he said.
He urged youths from northern communities to respect local laws and live peacefully with their neighbors.
The governor also encouraged state governments to collaborate with northern leaders to identify residents and integrate them into their host communities, noting that many northerners have lived in the region for generations.
“Some of our people have been here since the 1940s. We have intermarried and lived together as one community, and we want that to continue,” he said.
Alhaji Abubakar Sambo, leader of the Hausa Community in Enugu and National Vice Chairman of the Inter-tribal Traditional Leaders Association of Nigeria, reaffirmed the council’s commitment to fostering peace, cooperation, and welfare in the two regions.
“We discussed strategies to strengthen peaceful coexistence with the people of the South-East and South-South, and ways to support the state governments,” he said.
Sambo also highlighted plans to establish a coordinated structure for northern communities at the state, LGA, and local levels to enhance rapid information sharing and community engagement.
Representatives will be appointed across locations where northerners reside, covering Muslims and Christians, to improve welfare delivery, coordination, and security reporting.
He emphasized the traditional role of the “Sarkin Hausawa” as the primary point of contact for northern communities in each state.
“When welfare or community issues arise, the first point of contact should be the palace of the Sarkin Hausawa. This is the tradition inherited from our forefathers,” Sambo explained.
He noted that northerners have maintained peaceful relations in the two regions for over a century by respecting established leadership structures and called for ongoing collaboration between the council and state governments as essential for security and harmony.
Alhaji Garba Lawan, head of the Hausa Muslim Umma in Cross River, highlighted the community’s long-standing cordial relations with host communities and state governments, noting the support received over the years as evidence of sustained peaceful coexistence.
Addressing concerns over scavenging activities, he clarified that the trade is not exclusive to northerners and stressed that community members are regularly sensitized on proper conduct through awareness campaigns, particularly during daily prayers.
Lawan also recalled that the scavenging business had been banned in Cross River for security reasons but was recently reopened following consultations between the government and key stakeholders, with strict adherence to regulations expected from all involved.
He concluded that continued collaboration, discipline, and community engagement remain crucial to maintaining peace and security across the South-East and South-South regions.