Garba Shehu, spokesman to President Muhammadu Buhari says not all traditional rulers in Katsina aid bandits in terrorising local citizens.
Mr Shehu stated this while clarifying the comments he made while featuring on Channels Television Monday morning.
The presidential spokesman was reported to have accused traditional rulers in the state of aiding bandits escape when security agencies move against them in some troubled states where the criminals are operating.
But in a statement posted across his social media accounts, Mr Shehu said his comments was misinterpreted to indict the traditional institutions in Katsina state.
“In my Channels TV appearance this morning, I referred to cases of some low level traditional rulers in Katsina State and the neighboring Zamfara where more of such leaders including Emirs were flushed out of the system for being found to be in unholy alliances with bandits,” he explained.
“If someone is merely a headline reader, he/she might have wrong impression, from what is being reported by the digital press, that the entirety of the traditional institution in Katsina is complicit in the episode. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
“Under the leadership of their Highnesses, the Emirs of Katsina and Daura, traditional rulers in the state have continued to support security and law enforcement agencies in tackling the problems of kidnapping and banditry that reared their heads in the state.
“Many of them have indeed paid the supreme price for doing their duty to their people, the state and the nation. May their souls Rest In Peace.
“When, however, a few bad eggs are discovered and made an example of, as is bound to happen, that is to show good leadership by the Emirs, who sit on top of the pack and the state governments,” Shehu added.
