The Mai of Potiskum, Yobe State, Alhaji Umaru Bubarum, has said only traditional rulers who wield influence among their people and are constantly in contact with them could effectively end the lingering violent crisis in Jos, Plateau State.
Bubarum said, “traditional rulers know the source of every crisis in their locality, they also know every trouble maker in their locality and are aware of every move or plan on anything in their locality, so involving them in finding a lasting solution to the Jos crisis will be very important.
“For example, the Oba of Yoruba in Jos, the Sarkin Fulani in Jos, the Eze Igbo and leaders of every tribe or group of people that reside in Jos knows the very root of every person in his locality and can point to every source of trouble and how to solve such problem.”
The Mai, represented by his Special Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Alhaji Gidado Ibrahim, said these in Kaduna, while attending a meeting of northern traditional rulers on integration of Islamic and western education.
He said Plateau State Governor should invite every traditional ruler within the north, including traditional leaders of other Nigerian tribes living in Jos for a meeting that will bring lasting peace in the state.
“If the traditional leaders are told to go and honestly talk to their people to sheath their swords, peace will return to the state,” he said.
On the attempt by the traditional rulers to integrate western and Islamic education, the first class traditional chief said, “ensuring that the almajiris that roam all over the northern states are also exposed to western education will help in developing the youths and the northern states in general. It will also reduce the abuse that some of these children experience.”