Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad
Abubakar, has revealed that traditional rulers, especially in northern Nigeria,
are the worst target of Boko Haram insurgents.
Sultan, who doubles as Chairman
of the Islamic Supreme Council of Nigeria, said this when he delivered a
lecture to the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 10, in Abuja.
Speaking on The role of
Traditional Institution in National Security Management: lessons from Boko
Haram, the monarch maintained that Boko Haram is a product of a failed education,
economy and moral values.
Recalling the cases of attempts
on the lives of traditional rulers by the insurgency, he said in the last few
years, the Boko Haram insurgency had challenged both modern and traditional
governance institutions.
“While the modern governance
institutions have the resources, constitutional authority and coercive
instruments of state, the traditional institutions have relied largely on its
moral authority and have, by and large, remained with the people, through thick
and thin.
“Boko Haram attack on these
traditional institutions, which we are very much aware of, is to ensure a
measure of their perception of the importance of these institutions, in the
supply of intelligence and persuading public opinion.
“We are all aware of some of the
traditional rulers attacked by Boko Haram.
“Late emir of Kano, ALhaji Ado
Bayero was targeted many times, the present Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, was
attacked in a Mosque in Kano, by Boko Haram, not knowing that he was not there.
“It is right to say that
traditional institutions are the biggest casualty of Boko Haram insurgency,”
the monarch stated.
Speaking further, the Sultan
said, “moral authority provides one of the most potent pillars of the security
of society, not only by preserving order in society but, also, by giving hope
to the wider society, in times of crisis,” and added that the trust that exists
between the wider society and the traditional leadership is a great asset that
can be leveraged to secure society.
“Today, such assets, including
moral capital and trust, are called soft power and are found to be far more
effective than conventional legislation or even the coercive instruments of
state.
“Lessons of Boko Haram insurgency
are many and still unfolding but, three are fairly obvious and could be
discussed. It is now widely agreed that the Boko Haram is a product of three
major failures; the economy, failure of education and of values and morals.”
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