Plateau: Anambra Traditional Rulers Council Condemns Killings, Urges Peace, Backs Constitutional Role

By Chuks Eke

The Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC) has strongly condemned the recent killings in Uromi, Edo State, and Bassain, Plateau State, calling on Nigerians to embrace peace and avoid a repeat of the tragic events of 1966.

Speaking from his palace in Obosi, the council’s Chairman, His Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III (Ogalagidi), described the killings as “very unfortunate and condemnable.”

He emphasised the importance of Nigerians learning from the past and preventing ethnically motivated massacres from occurring again.

Igwe Iweka praised the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for apprehending an individual who threatened violence against Southerners in a viral video, as well as the deployment of additional troops to Plateau.

The Royal Father also urged the Federal Government to address the ongoing conflict between herders and farmers, claiming that it has resulted in the loss of countless lives and contributed to food insecurity throughout the country.

“The Federal government should find a lasting and permanent solution to the crisis between herders and farmers as soon as possible because many precious lives have been lost across the country as a result of this,” he said, adding that farmers are increasingly afraid to cultivate their lands due to the threat of violence.

Regarding the proposed constitutional role for traditional rulers, Igwe Iweka III described the bill currently being debated in the National Assembly as “a right step in the right direction.”

.He emphasised the critical roles traditional rulers play in maintaining peace, disseminating government policies, and protecting their communities.

“Traditional rulers play a crucial role in their communities and require constitutional recognition from the federal government,” he stated.

He also urged Southeastern states that have yet to implement the five percent local government allocation for traditional rulers to do so, claiming that these funds are critical for the royal fathers to fulfil their numerous community responsibilities.

Regarding the security situation in Anambra State, Igwe Iweka praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s efforts to combat crime by establishing the Udo ga achi/Agu-nechemba security force.

“Our governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has done a lot for security…crime has been reduced to an absolute minimum,” he stated.

The traditional ruler also praised Governor Soludo’s administration for its infrastructure development initiatives and other projects in a variety of sectors, urging for a second term to complete these significant endeavours.