Pix: Plateau NSCDC Commandant, Ishaku Musa

The Commandant of the Plateau State Nigeria Security and Civil Defence
Corps (NSCDC), Ishaku Musa, has advocated for a stronger,
results-oriented synergy between traditional rulers, the NSCDC, and
other security agencies in the state to reduce criminality to its
lowest level, particularly in protecting Critical National Assets and
sustaining civil obedience and orderliness.

Speaking with journalists shortly after a security meeting in Jos last
week, Commandant Musa disclosed that the business of security is a
collective responsibility of the entire citizenry, while stressing
that it is more incumbent upon traditional rulers, as the closest
leaders to the people, to ensure maximum cooperation with the
operatives of the NSCDC and other security agencies, as the case may
be, in order to wage a total war against crime in the state.

“It is pertinent to note that our royal fathers should play a crucial
role in our efforts to establish lasting security. They are highly
relevant in terms of intelligence and information, which often help to
thwart situations that could have escalated into serious security
challenges. As they are closest to the grassroots people, veritable
intelligence often reaches them first-hand due to their proximity to
the community. If this is the case, then we have every reason to
benefit from the royal fathers’ intelligence-sharing capabilities.
Traditional rulers are key and highly relevant to our security,”
Commandant Musa asserted.

“The engagement of traditional rulers is critical because of their
role in the security architecture of the nation. The communities they
lead serve as a veritable source of information. With their
cooperation and that of their subjects, we can obtain credible
intelligence to accost criminal elements in these communities.”
Commandant Musa said.

He, however, urged traditional rulers to encourage their subjects to
refrain from making inflammatory statements and to provide evidence
when necessary, ensuring that arrested criminals face the law.
Commandant Musa pleaded with the royal fathers to condemn crime and
not reward criminals with chieftaincy titles when their sources of
livelihood are unknown.