Sultan urges Gowon, Shagari, others to contribute to national issues

CP confirms arrest of mobile policemen for alleged murder 
THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and other members of Barewa Old Boys Association (BOBA) to always comment and take pragmatic position on national issues, and forward same to President Muhammadu Buhari in order to promote the nation’s growth.

The Sultan explained that with BOBA members like General Gowon, former President Shagari, some state governors, retired chief judges of the federation, emirs, traditional rulers, amongst others, there was no reason why they should shy away from taking a position on pertinent national issues for the betterment of the country.

He expressed this view in his remarks at the 2015 annual lecture, organised by the national body of the association in Kaduna, just as the keynote speaker, former member, House of Representatives, Dr. Usman Bugaje, pointed out in his presentation that the nation’s natural resources could not be judiciously managed without knowledge based political parties in the country.

Titled, “Prudent Management of Nigeria’s Natural Resources for the Development of the Nation,” Dr. Bugaje urged leaders of all political parties to go back to the drawing board and purge their parties of, “big men of politics, who are too often the big bags, send their boys and girls to hold party position for them, even where they are clearly incompetent.”
“In other words, party positions and party criteria must prioritize knowledge and character and not loyalty and thuggery as is the case at the moment,” Bugaje added.

Besides, the monarch insisted: “There is no ruling leader in this country that is not proud of BOBA members. We should not shy away from discussing national issues. So we should be able to send our ideas on national issues to the President or the state governors whenever we gather like this.”

Speaking at the occasion, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who is also a member of BOBA, stressed on efforts made by his administration to move the state forward through his developmental plans.El-Rufai was represented at the event by his deputy, Barnabas Bala Bantex. The association also launched its book titled, “Barewa Pride” at the occasion.

Meanwhile, the Police in Sokoto State have confirmed the arrest of five mobile policemen attached to the 7 PMF Command in Sokoto over alleged murder of a man, Yahaya Shehu.

Shehu was allegedly murdered by the suspects at Teke community in Sabon-Birni Local Council of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspects were alleged to have tortured Shehu to death, a month ago, when they were on patrol along the Isa-Sabon-Birni road.
It was gathered that the remains of the deceased were found in a nearby bush the following morning.
The deceased was said to have been arrested for an undisclosed offence with his friend, Bashar Nahantsi, who reportedly escaped from the scene.

The duo were said to be on their way to Teke Market in Sabon-Birni council area from Shinkafi in neighbouring Zamfara, when they were arrested by the policemen.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Salisu Fagge, confirmed the arrest of the suspects, while addressing newsmen at the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto.
“It is true that the mobile police officers who were alleged to have killed the deceased had been arrested by the command. They are now being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations.
“I am assuring the family of the deceased that nobody is above the law and the affected police officers will be charged to court. They will be duly prosecuted if found guilty,’’ Fagge stated.