Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has advocated a constitutional amendment that will accord more responsibilities to the traditional institution in order to stem the rising wave of security challenges in the country.

Expressing concern over the increasing wave of security challenges in the country, the Governor advised the security agencies to synergise more among themselves and with the traditional institutions who are closer to the people.

Sani Bello spoke on Tuesday while hosting the State Council of Traditional Rulers led by Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, to a Sallah homage. He noted that despite the huge monthly security votes, the country is being faced daily by security challenges that were hitherto strange to the country’s socio-cultural lifestyle and have rendered the country unsafe.

“I support that we go back to the traditional ways of securing our community, the traditional system performed better in the past and they can do better now if more constitutional powers are given to them. I recommend that we give more powers to traditional Rulers on security grounds.

“We spend a lot of money on security but we do not have a safe environment. In Niger state, we spend huge sum of money every month on security,” the Governor said.

He expressed dismay over the new wave of crime currently sweeping across the state, noting that law and order are being violated in some local government areas with attendant socio-economic implications.

Sani Bello maintained that the country and the state need a lot of prayers as all efforts to combat this new wave of crime seem not to be producing the desired result.

Hs words: “We need a lot of prayers in Niger State and indeed in the country. We are faced with new kind of security challenges that is unusual. There is a new wave of kidnapping, murder, armed robbery and clashes.

“In the past, nobody gets away with murder, kidnapping or crime but these days, kidnappers and criminal kingpins walk the street freely.”

The Governor, however, assured the people of the state that his administration is committed to making the state a safe place for everybody through continued support to security agencies in the state.

He commended traditional rulers in the state for their tremendous support and advice, adding that his administration will continue to seek their support so as for it to achieved the desired goals.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alh. (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar, speaking on behalf of the other royal fathers, commended Governor Sani Bello’s administration for its effort in revamping the educational, agricultural and the health sectors of the state.

He however called on the Governor to look into the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads across the state.

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