News
CSO moves agaisnt Bill seeking for Nigerians to bear arms in self-defence
***Says it is an invitation to anarchy
The bill seeking for Nigerians to bear arms and weapons for self-defence in the face of insecurity is an invitation to anarchy and chaos, given the volatile nature of the society, a Civil Society Organisation, (CSO) has indicated
The group under the aegis of Civil Coalition for Credible Election, (CSCCE), its Convener, Hon. Aminu Usman, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja decried the massive illegal circulation of arms, weapons and explosives in the system, stressing that if Nigerians are allowed as suggested by the bill, the country will transit to doomsday.
This was comming against the backdrop of a bill sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District seeking for Nigerians to be able to defend themselves against bandits and terrorists.
The group pointed out that the alarming number of weapons in circulation has made it impossible for the bill to sail through, hence, they called on lawmakers in the upper and lower legislative Chambers to reject it.
The group said: “We are also quick to object to the proposed bill lying in the National Assembly proposing for citizens to bear arms in self-defence.
“Without mincing words, the bill which was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District which has passed first reading is an invitation to anarchy and perdition and should be rejected.
“In a survey carried out by a Swiss-based non-profit organisation in 2020, said Nigeria had an estimated 6.2 million arms, excluding explosives in hands of non-state actors, a number far more than the Nigerian military with 586,600 guns and light weapons.
“The non-state actors and some civilians have used illegal arms to wage war against the State and legalizing the use of weapons as captured in the “general principles” of the bill as it were would not be in the interest of the nation.
“Therefore, the Civil Society Coalition for Credible Election is calling on the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and lawmakers of the upper and lower legislative Chambers to reject the bill as soon as it is due for debate.”
The group commended President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu for the approach to tackling insecurity in the country, noting that the level of attack was gradually whittling down.
According to the group, residents of communities in Katsina State who deserted their homeland due to terrorists invasion have returned home, while they called on government to intensify effort towards full restoration of peace across the nation.
The group which has strong interest in election, security and economic wellbeing of Nigerians, applauded the Federal Government and Security Agencies for raising to the ocassion of tackling banditry and terrorism in the country, insisting that Tinubu took over governance, when insecurity was at its peak.
They said: “We can effectively say, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over governance at no ‘peace time’, given the massive insecurity of banditry, kidnapping, abductions and communal crisis at a high scale level across the country at the time.
“Statistics of Nigerians killed due to banditry, kidnapping, abductions and wanton attacks on communities, particularly in the Northern part of the country stood at 63,111 in eight years of the former President Muhammadu Bulari-led alone as reported in Vanguard of May 20, 2023 shortly before he handed over to President Tinubu.
“Also, in four years, i.e. from 2019 to 2023, which was the last four years of Buhari, the figure of Nigerians killed stood at 35,800, a well-researched figure published by Vanguard on May 20, 2023 and many other national and online media outlets in the country.
“Our commendation will not only go to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, or head of Security Chiefs who are leaving no stone unturned to change the trajectory, but to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who has been relentlessly galvanizing and advising Mr President in a frankly manner on approach to tackling modern day terrorism and all forms of criminalities.
“Nuhu Ribadu’s capability to identify, isolate and process different causes of crises, arising from terrorism, banditry, religious, social, political, economic and communal has made the approach to tackling insecurity in the last nine months effective, moreso, that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) as it is currently has become completely apolitical and is facing the task of advising Mr President on security in a professional and objectively manner.
“The combined effort of security agencies have decimated activities of terrorists across the country and this is no gainsaying.
“As we speak, communities in about seven Local Government Council Areas in Katsina State, the home state of the immediate past President in the North West that have been under siege of bandits for years have been liberated and residents are back to those communities preparatory for farming season.
One among many residents of communities that have returned is Shimfida in Jibia Local Government Council of Katsina State. Shimfida is located a kilometer from the dreaded forest that is a hideout for terrorists, but with the efforts of the government, life has returned
**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.
The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..
Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.
But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit
However, the chairman,
Media Committee of the
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate.
“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.
“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively.
“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public.
the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024
The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.
2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.
SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.
As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.
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