By Adadareporters
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned the abduction and brutal murder of the Emir of Gobir, His Highness Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa.
According to CNG, “This heinous act is not only an attack on the monarch and the revered traditional institution but also a grave assault on the collective conscience of our society. This is totally unacceptable. It must never be repeated!”
The CNG, similarly, condemned the Sokoto State government for “its despicable, nonchalant and lackadaisical attitude toward the handling of the plight of the late emir which led to the unfortunate murder in the hand of the bandits”.
The group said, “This depicts manifest incompetence and utter demonization of our cultural and religious heritage from the government that is supposed to promote preservation of our tradition and pedigree.
“The CNG is deeply concerned that the government has failed to prioritize the security and well-being of its people, instead choosing to entangle security issues and traditional institutions in the web of political maneuvering.”
The CNG noted that the governor must confine politics to its proper domain and refrain from extending it to critical areas, such as security and “the preservation of our royal institutions”.
According to the group, “It is apparent that the government is placing politics above governance and, more disturbingly, above the lives of the people.
“The CNG observes that the governor has clearly surrendered the monarch to the bandits particularly after the emergence of the emir’s video in the most dehumanized and humiliated manner pleading for his life and freedom only for the governor to turn a blind eye.
“The consequent carefree of the government depicts the highest form of irresponsibility that even an animal kingdom can envy.
“The CNG decries that although there were incidents of abductions of traditional rulers particularly in Zamfara, this abominable murder remains the most devastating that has sunk the collapse of our security into the ditch of despair.”
CNG extended its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the emirate and good people of Gobir; to the good people of Sokoto; to the Sokoto Sultanate and the Sultan; to the traditional institutions and the entire people of northern Nigeria and the country at large.
It added that, “This is a colossal loss that pains throughout our nation and serves as a reminder on the urgent need for decisive action.”
The group further expressed its deepest commiseration to all the people and their families “who have been killed, victimized or affected by the senseless murders. We sympathize and empathize with all and sundry in these difficult moments in our history as a people.
“For those still languishing in the bandits’ den, it is absolutely repugnant with human civility for anyone to live under such cruel circumstances.
“May Almighty God would save them from captivity across varied vast expanse of criminal hideouts in the North.”
It charged the police, the Department of State Security (DSS) and other relevant security personnel to thoroughly investigate allegations against Hon. Aminu Boza of being the sponsor of the abduction and the murder of the monarch, adding that, “This is necessary to unravel the truth behind the allegation and hold those responsible accountable. Hon. Boza must be interrogated alongside his close associates to establish or refute the claim that purportedly emanated from the bandits.”
The CNG called on governments at all levels to recommit themselves to genuinely addressing the security challenges that have plagued our region and rendered us hopeless. The protection of lives and property must be the top priority, and every effort must be made to restore peace and stability to our communities.
