Military operations alone won’t solve insecurity – Yobe Emir

The Emir of Potiskum, His Royal Highness Alhaji Umaru Bubaram Ibn Wuriwa Bauya, has urged Nigerian leaders to adopt a more inclusive approach to addressing insecurity, insisting that military operations alone cannot end the country’s security challenges.

The monarch also called on governments at all levels to tackle poverty, injustice and other socio-economic factors fuelling conflicts across the country.

Speaking on the state of the nation, the Emir described Nigeria’s diversity as one of its greatest assets.

“Nigeria is a complex and beautifully diverse country, blessed with over three hundred ethnic groups, each with its own customs and languages. Diversity should never be viewed as a weakness. It is our greatest strength. Every Nigerian deserves to feel a sense of belonging, which inherently inspires public cooperation for national development,” he said.

Concerning the current security challenges being experienced across the country, he maintained that the government must look beyond the use of force if lasting peace is to be achieved.

Insecurity cannot be solved by force alone. Leaders must address the underlying socioeconomic causes of conflict with sincerity and justice,” the monarch said.

According to him, national leaders must see themselves as parents to every citizen regardless of ethnic, religious or political differences.

“A national leader must act like a good parent, listening to every child without discrimination, correcting mistakes with wisdom and ensuring everyone feels valued. When leaders put the welfare of the citizenry above personal interests, the nation will make meaningful progress,” he stated.

The Emir of Potiskum who also emphasised the importance of traditional institutions in promoting peace and preventing communal conflicts, stressed, “Because we live among the people, we understand their challenges firsthand. This uniquely positions us to advise the government, facilitate peaceful dialogue and resolve local issues before they escalate. Traditional rulers must champion community development, promote education, support economic activities and foster peace,” he insisted.

Ibn Wuriwa Bauya thus urged both political and traditional leaders to govern with a sense of justice, accountability, and sincerity, saying history would ultimately judge leaders by the positive impact they leave on their people rather than the offices they occupy.