•Matawalle indicts northern elite for region’s woes
An attempted crash on the convoy of Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, was foiled yesterday by security operatives.
The first class monarch, who was recently turbaned as 15th emir in the ancient northern city, was returning from the ground-breaking of an edifice belonging to Ahmadiyya Muslims Jammat on Zaria Road when the incident occurred, according to a reliable source.
The source said the incident ensued when a salon car dangerously came from behind to overtake the emir’s vehicle and his security details.
The dangerous move was eventually checked by the protective hanger and security details on the traditional ruler’s motorcade, resulting in a collision with a vehicle on the convoy, The Guardian further learnt.
A dependable palace source, who also confirmed the development, held that it was not a conscious attack targeted at the emir.
![[FILES] A trader display farm produce at Wuse Market, Abuja, Nigeria, on August 17, 2021. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/000_9LC8UH-974x649-1-120x86.jpg "World Food Day: Conflicts push 12.8m Nigerians to hunger 5")
Craving anonymity, he stated: “It was an overzealous driver, who wanted to overtake the emir’s convoy, but was eventually barricaded by the security and that attempt resulted in accident.
“I don’t want to believe it was an attack because I was also on the convoy. What I saw was an attempt by a driver coming from behind with the intention to overtake the emir’s convoy. While attempting to do that, the security checkmated him and diverted the movement. But because the driver was on speed, the vehicle went to hit another vehicle on the convoy.”
In his remarks, the police spokesman in the state, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, equally confirmed the incident, but insisted that it was not an attack on the monarch.
He explained that it was a case involving a Toyota salon that crashed into the emir’s convoy.
In a statement, Kiyawa submitted: “It is a case of an accident. The Emir of Kano’s convoy was coming from Gadar Lado to Dangi Underpass. On their way, a Toyota Corolla car had a side collision with the rear escort vehicle on the convoy.
“The driver of the salon car was rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano for treatment.”
There was, however, no official reaction from the palace at the time of filing this report.
MEANWHILE, the security and economic challenges facing the North have been attributed to the poor leadership offered by the political leaders in the region.
Governor Bello, who gave the damning verdict yesterday in his presentation at the inauguration of new executives for Arewa Media Writers Association in Kaduna, stated that the region lacked “responsible leadership to steer it through the current troubled waters.”
He said: “Our ruling elite in the North have no vision for the region beyond gaining political power. We have all seen how the elite in the South East and South West responded in unison to all matters concerning their regions’ development.”
Tiled The Fight Against Banditry in North West Nigeria: Challenges and Solutions, the governor’s address was delivered by his Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji.
He warned the North of the consequences of banditry, Kidnapping and terrorism in the zone.
On the security challenges in Zamfara, Matawalle stated: “The historical economic, social and cultural ties between the dominant communities of Fulani and Hausa were ruptured, farming activities halted and commercial activities crippled.”
The governor continued: “With poverty on the increase and food security seriously affected by the crisis, the state was on the verge of a catastrophic social eruption capable of destabilising our communities and the North West sub-region.”
“Shinkafi and Zurmi LGAs are the hotspots of banditry, even though there are no mining activities going on there. Rural banditry in Zamfara and other parts of the North, in my opinion, is a result of the progressive degradation of our moral standards and a culture of greed fed by an unfettered need for material goods.”
He further said: “As shown in this presentation, the culture of cattle rearing by pastoralist groups is not something new. It was practised in the days gone by to demonstrate courage and bravery. And no violence was used.
“What we witness today, however, are horrible crimes of unimaginable proportion, which include rape, killing of women and children, kidnapping, highway robbery and other gruesome atrocities.
“It is evident, therefore, that we, the leaders, are responsible for the plight of the North.”
While making reference to the leadership qualities of political leaders in the South, Matawalle observed: “We have seen how they have a defined agenda and are relentless in their pursuit of regional development.”
He warned: “Unless we all wake up to the situation, the war against banditry in the North West will remain a significant security challenge that has the potential to swallow the region and the country. The destruction that banditry is wreaking on the region’s people and economy is unfathomable.
“This is a sincere appeal to leaders of the region to wake up from their lethargy and unite in combating this grave challenge. We need to get to the root of the situation. Stop politicising it and act decisively.”
Follow our socials Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Google News.
