By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has condemned what it called “the heinous abduction and subsequent murder of the Emir of Gobir, Alhaji Isa Muhammad”.
A statement issued on Friday in Kaduna by the Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Northern Elders Forum, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said, “This appalling act—perpetrated by bandits—stands not only as a breach of the sanctity of traditional institutions, but also as a stark manifestation of the underlying chaos that pervades certain regions in Northern Nigeria.
“The NEF’s pronouncement reflects a deep-seated outrage that resonates with the collective sensibilities of the northern populace, who hold their traditional leaders in high regard.”
He noted that the Emir of Gobir’s assassination represents more than a mere loss of life, saying that it is a profound attack on cultural heritage, a disregard for customary authority, and a grim reminder of the rampant insecurity that has plagued much of Northern Nigeria.
According to the statement, “This act is both heinous and merciless, as well as an affront not only to the reverence traditionally afforded to emirs but also to the very values that underpin the social fabric of the region. For us in Northern Nigeria, traditional rulers symbolize stability, guidance, and communal identity.”
He further explained that their abduction and brutal killing thus send “shockwaves through society, unsettling the already fragile trust between the people and the institutions meant to protect them”.
The NEF, therefore, expressed condolences to the Sultan of Sokoto, the family of the deceased emir, and the people of Gobir; and explicitly calls for justice, demanding that all relevant stakeholders, including government authorities and security agencies, take decisive steps to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.
The forum said that allowing such criminals to escape unpunished would only embolden them, exacerbating the cycle of violence and instability that has become all too common in the our region.
According to the statement, the criminal acts perpetrated by bandits are not isolated incidents, saying that they form part of a worrying trend of violence and lawlessness that has engendered fear and insecurity in Northern Nigeria.
The alarming frequency of kidnappings, robberies, and related atrocities, according to the statement has left communities in a state of despair, stressing that the killing of a prominent figure like the Emir of Gobir signifies a troubling turning point in this trajectory of violence, one that threatens to erode the foundational pillars of respect, dignity, and authority that traditional leaders embody.
“Moreover, this tragedy calls for a comprehensive reevaluation of the security architecture in Northern Nigeria. The time has come for policymakers to address the root causes of insecurity, which include economic disenfranchisement, rampant poverty, and inadequate governance. A mere reactive approach, primarily characterized by military interventions, is insufficient to tackle such deep-seated issues,” the statement explained.
Instead, the forum suggested that a holistic strategy that encompasses community engagement, economic development, and education must be prioritized to empower local populations and sew the seeds of resilience against criminal influences, pointing out that the NEF’s staunch call to action is also a clarion reminder to civil society and community leaders that their roles are critical in the search for sustainable solutions to the rampant violence.
Increasing public awareness, fostering community solidarity, and collaborating with security forces, the forum believed can create an environment where citizens are not only protectors of their communities but also active participants in the fight against crime and lawlessness.
It noted that the abduction and murder of the Emir of Gobir serves as a tragic emblem of the crisis facing Northern Nigeria—a crisis that calls for immediate and sustained attention from government authorities, security agencies, traditional institutions, and civil society alike, saying that the perpetrators of the heinous crime must not go unpunished, and it is essential that rigorous efforts are made to restore peace and security in the region.
“The collective outrage shared by the NEF and the communities of Northern Nigeria is a powerful reminder of their shared values, urging all stakeholders to respond with urgency, resolve, and a commitment to upholding justice in the face of adversity,” the forum explained.
