The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Abubakar III, has advised Northerners to challenge bandits and insurgents to overcome the menacing security challenge in the North.

Speaking at the North-West Peace and Security Summit in Katsina State on Monday, Abubakar said the consequences of banditry and insurgency on Northern residents are devastating.

The President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs added that it would take decades for the North-West region to come out of the security challenge.

He said, “What we must do is to challenge these bandits because we all know the consequences of banditry and insurgency on our lives. But it will take decades to get out of it if all we get out of it. We all know the consequences and the problems.”

The monarch stated that the traditional rulers are ready to partner with security agencies and the North West governors to save the region from banditry and insurgency.

He expressed his belief that proposals to bring banditry and insurgency to the barest minimum for people to go about their lives and businesses would be arrived at at the end of the summit. (The PUNCH)