The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar II, has called on leaders and residents across Northern Nigeria to unite against banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity, stressing that safeguarding lives and property is a collective responsibility.

The Sultan made the call on Wednesday during the 19th Northern Traditional Rulers and Governors’ Meeting in Kaduna, where he urged governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and citizens to work together to tackle the region’s persistent security challenges.

“Security is everybody’s responsibility. It’s not just for security agencies alone, or the governors alone, or traditional rulers alone. It’s everybody’s responsibility. We need to really come together and fight this menace of terrorism, abduction and whatever it is to the best of our ability,” he said.

Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar II described the inauguration of the Board of Trustees established to drive the North’s security intervention as a major step toward finding lasting solutions to the region’s insecurity.

He explained that the board, which comprises respected personalities drawn from the 19 northern states, is expected to adopt practical and coordinated approaches to addressing the security crisis.

The Sultan assured members of the committee of the full support of the traditional institution, noting that they could rely on the local knowledge and cooperation of traditional rulers in carrying out their assignment.

He also emphasised that the fight against insecurity must rise above religious and ethnic considerations, insisting that unity remains the North’s greatest strength.

“This is a source of unity for us. It comes from all the 19 northern states to serve in one body. We believe once you are united, you will be more focused. Unity is the most important thing,” he said.

The Sultan recalled that northern traditional rulers had consistently raised concerns about violent extremism and insecurity, adding that the council had submitted recommendations on tackling the crisis to the Northern Governors Forum as far back as 2014.

He further urged governors in the region to provide sustained funding for the new security initiative, stressing that no meaningful intervention could succeed without adequate resources.