Southern Monarchs Decry Killings, Violent Crimes

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRIC) has expressed “grave concern” over the continuing incidents of killings, kidnappings and banditry happening across Nigeria in recent times.

They noted that the spate of violent crimes should be a cause for worry to all patriotic Nigerians, and demanded an “urgent attention by the government and security agencies.”

The royal fathers made their feelings known in a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary, His Eminence, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, and made available to journalists yesterday.

The council condemned the recent shocking murder of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Isah Mohammed Bawa, the Emir of Gobir in Gwata town of Sokoto State by kidnappers.

While bemoaning the killing of the emir, the southern monarchs commiserated with the Government of Sokoto State, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the family of the deceased royal father over the painful loss.

“The council is worried that the unscrupulous killers do not understand that traditional rulers are the custodians of our culture and heritage, the link to our past, ancestors and nation’s history which should not be desecrated,” the Southern monarchs lamented.

SNTRIC wondered why royal fathers should become targets of the criminal elements knowing that traditional institutions do not hold any key to the national purse or receive direct government allocations.

The council, therefore called for “an immediate end to the ugly trend of kidnapping and killing of traditional rulers and other Nigerians across the country.”

On the prevailing harsh economic condition in the country, the royal fathers said they are quite aware of what Nigerians are passing through, adding that they “will continue to engage the constituted authorities to make life easy for all Nigerians.”

However, the monarchs pointed out that “we need peace and unity to forge ahead and overcome these trying times.”

In order to achieve sustainable peace and stability, the council called for restraint on incessant calls for strikes and protests by diverse groups in Nigeria.

According to the traditional rulers, disruptions to economic activities would only continue to deter foreign investments in our country.

For this reason, they advised the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and other groups allegedly planning another protest on October 1 to shelve the idea and embrace dialogue.

SNTRIC said that irrespective of their grievances, the organised labour and inheritance groups should see reason “to avoid putting further strain on our economy and the citizens.

“Nigeria needs peace and all hands on deck to make the country work.”

They also admonished all arms of government, saying that the Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms must “remember their oaths of office, and work for better living conditions and a sustainable economy for the citizens.”

The Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council with ‘Togetherness, Strength and Progress’ as their motto, was formally inaugurated on July 30, 2024, in Owerri, Imo State.

Their goal is “to work in synergy for the peace of Nigeria and the furtherance of the unity of the Southern Traditional Institution.”

Aside the council itself, the statement said that the executive members were also inaugurated on the said date with the Ooni of Ife as the chairman; Obi of Obinugwu, co-chairman; Jaja of Opobo, co-chairman; and the Dein of Agbor, the general-secretary.

Others are Assistant Secretary, Olofin of Isheri; Publicity Secretary, Eze Aro; Financial Secretary, Alara of Ilara; Treasurer, Amanyanabo of Abonnema; Welfare Secretary, Elegushi of Ikate, while the Legal Advisor is Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu.