The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, on Tuesday said fresh intelligence had exposed the involvement of some “highly-placed traditional rulers” in the ongoing killings of Nigerians across the northern parts of the country.
The prevalent killings by armed bandits had constituted large deployment of the military and police in those states, with the President, Muhammadu Buhari making a pledge on an increase of security response if need be.
The attacks in the north east affecting mostly Borno, Yobe and Adamawa by the insurgent group Boko Haram have continued.
However, the government on Sunday ordered the abrupt halt of artisanal mining in Zamfara saying that it had confirmed the attacks had links to illegal exploration of solid minerals in the area.
According to Mr. Dan Ali in a Tuesday morning statement signed by Defence spokeman, Col. Tukur Gasau, said anonymous but high-profile traditional leaders had been recognized as liable in the violence, and vowed that they would not be spared.
He said “It is instructive to mention here that insurgency and terrorism are global phenomena that cannot be addressed through military actions only.
“However, in spite of the concerted efforts of the Armed Forces and other security some unpatriotic persons including highly placed traditional rulers in the areas were identified as helping the bandits with intelligence to perpetuate their nefarious actions or to compromise military operations.”
Mr Dan Ali urged locals particularly in Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and other parts of northern Nigeria to “rise in unison to support all government’s efforts that are targeted at addressing the crisis, especially because soldiers and other elements in the armed forces cannot combat it alone.”
The minister however added that the suspension of mining across Zamfara was amongst the key decisions believed by the administration as means of returning stability to the region.
