The Northern Traditional Rulers Council for the South-South and South-East has pledged to support security agencies and state governments in addressing security challenges across the two regions.
The council’s chairman, Alhaji Yaro Danladi, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing journalists on the outcome of a two-day emergency meeting held in Umuahia, Abia State.
Danladi said the council resolved that northern communities resident in the regions would work closely with state governments, host communities and security agencies to promote peace, stability and harmonious coexistence.
“We agreed to work hand-in-hand with our governors and live peacefully with the indigenous people of our host states,” he said.
He explained that the meeting was convened in response to emerging security concerns, adding that the council resolved to support security agencies through timely intelligence gathering and information sharing.
According to him, representatives would be appointed in northern communities across the regions, including at local government levels, to ensure the swift transmission of security-related information to relevant authorities.
“Once any incident occurs, information will reach us promptly, and we will immediately alert the appropriate security agencies,” Danladi said.
He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to supporting state governments in the fight against crime and criminality, stressing that no criminal element within northern communities would be protected.
“We do not support criminals. Anyone found engaging in criminal activities will be handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution,” he said.
Danladi also urged youths from northern communities to respect the laws of their host states and continue to live peacefully with their neighbours. He called on state governments to strengthen collaboration with northern leaders in identifying and integrating long-term residents, noting that many northerners had lived in the regions for decades.
Similarly, the leader of the Hausa community in Enugu State, Alhaji Abubakar Sambo, reiterated the council’s resolve to strengthen peace, security, cooperation and welfare 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 council discussed strategies to enhance intelligence gathering and coordination within northern communities in support of state security efforts.
He said the council resolved to establish a coordinated structure for northern communities in each state, down to local government and community levels, to improve engagement, welfare delivery and rapid information sharing.
Sambo also reaffirmed the traditional role of the Sarkin Hausawa as the recognised leaders and primary point of contact for northern communities across the states.
He called for sustained collaboration between the council and state governments, describing such partnership as critical to addressing security challenges and maintaining peaceful coexistence.
In his remarks, the Head of the Hausa Muslim Umma in Cross River State, Alhaji Garba Lawan, said northern communities in the region had continued to enjoy cordial relations with host communities and state governments.
Lawan said the communities had benefited from government support and security protection over the years, reflecting long-standing peaceful coexistence.
Commenting on concerns over scavenging activities, he said the trade was not exclusive to northerners and noted that members of the Hausa Muslim Umma had been sensitised on lawful conduct and compliance with regulations.
He recalled that scavenging was previously banned in Cross River State due to security concerns but said the ban was recently lifted following consultations between the government and key stakeholders, with strict conditions attached.