By 
By Abiodun OBA
The need for an effective collaboration between local governments and traditional rulers in Nigeria in the fight against insecurity has again been stressed.
The Caretaker Chairman of Bogoro Local Government Authority in Bauchi State, Hon Markus Bitrus Lusa made the plea when he paid official visit to the three Village areas of the LGA.
A visibly worried Markus Bitrus disclosed that no fewer than seven cases of kidnapping for ransom have so far been recorded within the last 2 months in the LGA.
The Chairman expressed concern over the high rate of kidnapping for ransom in the area a development he said is negatively impacting social and economic activities of the people.
Markus Bitrus also said that the purpose of the visit was to solicit the support and cooperation of traditional and religious leaders towards stopping kidnapping for ransom and other insecurity challenges bedevilling the area.
According to him, “I wish to thank the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for giving me another opportunity to serve as Caretaker Committee Chairmen and to thank you for giving me your maximum support since 2007 till date.
“I am here to alert you on some security issues that have bedevilled our LGA. You could recall that recently a young lady was kidnapped, and large amount of money was paid before she was released. I want to call on all of us to wake up and be vigilant,” the Chairman said.
The chairman stated that the role of traditional rulers and religious leaders towards curbing insecurity cannot be underestimated.
He subsequently directed all traditional rulers to immediately submit the list of foreigners living in their domain who are not indigenous to Bogoro LGA.
“I want to inform you to compile the list of foreigners living in your area who are indigenes of Bogoro LGA. I want to use this opportunity to inform you that council has banned all forms of night grazing beginning today, 21st August 2023.
“This is done not to witch-hunt any person or groups of persons. But it is for the purpose of securing the lives and properties of our people.
“I want to say that anyone found guilty of grazing in the night or causing any security problem will be arrested and prosecuted,” he stated.
In their speeches, the Village Head of Bogoro, Mr Nuhu Tafida, that of Boi, Mr Bala Ibrahim Likiti and Mr Dauda Zabas of Lusa, expressed satisfaction over the steps taken by the chairman saying is a right step in the right direction.
The three village Heads stated that the incident of kidnapping for ransom is causing sleepless nights to their subjects and pledged their unalloyed support to the chairman and security agencies to bring it to an end.
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