Nigeria’s major tribal and regional pressure groups, Ohanaeze, Arewa Consultative Forum, Afenifere, the Middle Belt Forum and some prominent Nigerians have bought in to Katsina state governor, Bello Masari’s call for citizens to acquire arms for self-defense.
Masari on Tuesday, told Katsina citizens acquire arms and protect themselves from bandits and other criminal elements.
Reacting, the National publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Ogbonnia on Thursday said that the governor’s call signaled government’s inability to protect its citizens.
“Now, the instruments of violence are no longer the monopoly of government and the government now asking the people to arm and defend themselves is a dangerous trend. Arms have proliferated among the people and it is a sign of a failed state,” he said.
On his part, leader of Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo said nothing is working in Nigeria and that security situation is in bad shape.
Also, the Publicity Secretary of MBLF, Dr. Dogo Isuwa said while the right to self-defence is constitutionally guaranteed, providing defence lies with the federal government, failing of which should be vested in regional security outfits like Amotekun, which are controlled by governments to prevent abuse.
The spokesperson of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Mr Emmanuel Yawe observed that as Chief Security Officer of their states, governors have the constitutional powers to put security measures that would safeguard their states.
“Governor of Katsina, as provided in the 1999 Constitution, is the chief security officer of his state. He is, therefore, permitted by the constitution to introduce security measures within the boundaries of his state and his state alone.
“If other states in the country see that his measures are good and have helped in securing the state, there is no stopping them from emulating his policies.
“Anybody who lives in Nigeria knows how bad our situation is. You don’t need to ask whether Nigerian citizens have a right to protect themselves,” he said.
