ABUJA – The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has strongly condemned the tragic abduction and brutal murder of the Emir of Gobir, His Highness Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa.
A statement on Thursday issued by Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi,
National Coordinator of CNG, said 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 the society.
Charanchi said “This is totally unacceptable. It must never be repeated.”
The CNG, similarly, strongly condemned Sokoto State Government for its despicable, non-chalant 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.
This, CNG said, “depicts manifest incompetence and utter demonisation 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 prioritise 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 notes 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.
“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 dehumanised 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 further decried 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 the security into the ditch of despair.
The CNG, therefore, “extends 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.
“This is a colossal loss that pains throughout our nation and serves as a reminder on the urgent need for decisive action.
“The CNG further expresses its deepest commiseration to all the people and their families who have been killed, victimised or affected by the senseless murders.
“We sympathise and empathise 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.
“We pray that May Almighty God would save them from captivity across varied vast expanse of criminal hideouts in the North.”
The CNG strongly tasked 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.
“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 statement said.
The CNG calls on governments at all levels to recommit themselves to genuinely addressing the security challenges that have plagued Northern region and rendered the citizens hopeless, adding that
“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.”
