They said that they have never been involved in such devious recruitment of men or women to support the cause of Boko Haram in Yobe or the entire northeast of Nigeria and are astonished by the toga of being accomplices.
A statement by Ali Gimba a chieftain of the Emirate said “the attention of Fika Emirate Council, Potiskum, Yobe State has been drawn to a recent report alleging Potiskum town as a recruitment centre for members of the Boko Haram sect.
“We are astonished by the said report having no preliminary reports from the security agencies suggesting same. As partners in progress, we feel there is an obligation to bring to the notice of sister authorities including the traditional institutions to share note and intelligence in the spirit of collective war against the insurgency.
“As an institution that is closer to the people, we have a duty and responsibility to support the government and the security forces in the fight against insurgency and other crimes.” It said.
Gimba noted that they also feel they can as well contribute effectively through dialogue with parents, youths and other subjects of the Emirate to find a sustainable solution to social vices and crime in the area.
Alhaji Gimba further maintained that the Emirate is however perplexed with such a dangerous intelligence which they feel ought to have been shared among partners to suggest means of finding a solution to it or any criminal act.
“We wish to inform the public that the Emirate has already employed some strategies to carefully monitor suspicious movements and activities with the view to assisting the security where necessary.
“The Emirate wish to call on the State Security apparatus to develop confidence in the local authority which is close to the people for effective working synergy, collaboration and confidence building to collectively fight the menace of crime and insurgency.” Said Gimba
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