The Nigerian Army, says, traditional rulers remain frontline active stakeholders in the security architecture of the country.
This is because of their efficacy in mass mobilization of their subjects and close monitoring of their domains.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Faruq Yahaya made the remark this Tuesday when he paid homage to the Sarkin Bargun Kaoje in Kebbi state, Alhaji Mustapha Usman Adamu in his palace.
Lt. General Faruq Yahaya informed the monarch that he is an indigene of Sifawa in Sokoto state, saying his visit to Ka’oje is like a homecoming.
The Chief of Army Staff acknowledged the importance of traditional rulers in security matters as leaders of their people with effective reach to all nooks and corners of their areas of jurisdiction.
In addition, traditional rulers are vital tools of peaceful co-existence among the citizenry, urging them to always harness information relevant in surmounting security challenges in the nation.
Lt. General Faruq Yahaya expressed immense appreciation to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his consistent material support to the Nigerian Army in the maintenance and improvement of security in Kebbi state.
The Chief of Army Staff told the Sarkin Bargu that he was in Ka’oje to commission a road project executed under the Military-Civilian Cooperation.
In response, the Sarkin Bargun Ka’oje, Alhaji Mustapha Usman Adamu thanked Lt. General Faruq Yahaya for his visit to the town to commission a major project which has positive impact on the economic prosperity of the area.
Alhaji Mustapha Usman Adamu said Ka’oje district has remained relatively peaceful and secured inspite of sharing common border with the Republic of Niger, Benin Republic and Niger state in Nigeria.
He added that the Palace has steadily been engaging security agencies in dialogue and cooperation in the maintenance of security.
The Sarkin Bargun Ka’oje strongly appealed to the Chief of Army staff to establish a military base in the area to facilitate security surveillance.
Before departure, the Sarkin Bargun Kaoje presented souvenirs to the visiting Chief of Army Staff.
They include bow and arrows, a basket of kolanuts and a decorated horse.
He thanked Lt. General Faruq Yahaya for approving the construction of asphalted road in Ka’oje under the military-civilian cooperation, through the project executor, the Director of Procurement of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Nasiru Usman Mukhtar whose mother is an indigene of Ka’oje.
The monarch bestowed the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin Bargu Ka’oje on Major-General N.U. Mukhtar to be turbaned after his retirement from the Army.
The Chief of Army Staff proceeded to commission the road project during which he thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the wherewithal to the Nigerian Army for the effective performance of its operations.
In a speech delivered by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri, Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, acknowledged that since Lt. General Faruq Yahaya assumed the position of Chief of Army Staff, the North-West Zone has experienced an improvement in security and enjoying relative peace.
The Governor commended the Army boss, his commanders and troops for their gallantry, hardwork, dedication and professionalism in overcoming insecurity in the country.
Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu further commended Lt. General Faruq Yahaya for establishing reconnection between the military and civilians through the execution of people-oriented project of socio-economic benefits.
The Chief of Army Staff was accompanied on his visit to Ka’oje by the Director, Procurement, Nigerian Army, Major-General Nasiru Usman Mukhtar, the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division of the Army, Sokoto, Major-General U.U. Bassey, other top ranking officers of the rank of Major-General, the Brigade-Commander, Gusau as well as the Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ahmad Magaji Kontagora.
Kebbi State Secretary to the Government, SSG, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri, who was at the Palace of Sarkin Bargun Ka’oje represented Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu at the event also attended by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Sani Abubakar Lolo.
Other top government functionaries, were the acting Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ladan, the Commissioner for Health, Rt. Hon. Ja’afaru Muhammad Clean, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Rt. Hon. Hassan Muhammad Shalla, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Maigari Abdullahi Dakingari, the representative of the Emir of Gwandu, the Galadiman Gwandu, Alhaji Ibrahim Bashar, KKB, the Chairman, Bagudo Local Government as well as District and village heads.
