After a critical assessment of the nation’s security situation, a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) said Nigeria is at a crossroad, saying the security challenges were threatening the nation’s peace.
Speaking at the annual award dinner organised by Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation Monday night, General Abubakar pleaded that all hands must be on deck and urged Nigerians to assist the security forces to successfully combat the challenges.
The Foundation honoured four eminent Nigerians including former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), who was given an award of Epitome of Leadership, while Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, wife of Gen. Abubakar was given an award of Excellence of Public Service and Administration of Justice.
Two posthumous awards were given to former President Shehu Shagari and pioneer Arewa Consultative Forum chairman, Chief Sunday Awoniyi.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also expressed worry bordering on the overstretching of the nation’s security forces.
The former leaders’ concerns came amidst solidarity protests from some South-west states in support of Amotekun-the controversial security outfit recently put in place by governors in the south-western states of Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Ogun and Oyo.
Abubakar’s worry
Speaking at the award dinner in Kaduna, General Abubakar said: “With the present security challenges ranging from banditry, kidnapping and terrorism, I will say Nigeria is at a crossroad. We should therefore try as much as possible to give information and intelligence reports to the security agencies for timely action.
“We will always pray for peace and I am appealing to all Nigerians to put all hands on deck to eradicate this menace of insecurity currently threatening the peace of the country.”
Extolling the virtues of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the former head of state said: “Sardauna was all in all. He was a leader who ensured there was peace in the country and in Northern Nigeria in particular. He was able to do this regardless of tribe or religious affiliations. He did what is right and carried everybody along. He ensured that there was development across board.”
The former military leader called on the present leaders to ensure development, progress, equity and justice.
“And I hope that those in the seat of power will emulate late Sir Ahmadu Bello in actions and deeds. I will continue to support and make sure that this foundation achieves the visions and missions of the late premier,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the foundation and former Niger state Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu said the awardees were carefully selected for their tremendous contributions to Nigeria and humanity at large.
He said the awardees demonstrated selfless services and uncommon achievements in their respective professional calling in a way that impacted the development of Northern Nigeria.
Responding n behalf of the awardees, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, said the award was a prestigious one. “On behalf of all the awardees, I want to say a very big thank you and that we are humbled for counting us worthy and targeted for this great honour.”
She charged the foundation to continuously promote the ideals of the late premier with vigour. “For me, I can report taking forward the premier’s legacy from one to all with the support of eminent Nigerians. Through my organisation, the Women Right Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) we are working to impact on the lives of Nigeria women,” she added.
Atiku also..
Similarly, former Vice president Atiku Abubakar has attributed the lingering security challenge to the underfunding and overstretching of the armed and paramilitary forces.
He had earlier justified the establishment of Amotekun-the regional outfit in the South-west.
In yet another statement personally signed by him Tuesday, the former VP said: “As a nation, our police, armed forces and paramilitary bodies have shown great gallantry, patriotism and dedication to duty. They are our first line of defense against enemies of our nation and saboteurs within our midst. I laud, value and acknowledge them, which is why I awarded scholarships and gave other support to the children of some our fallen heroes.
“Having said that, I must add that the reality on the ground in Nigeria today is that our armed and paramilitary forces are overstretched. To deny this is to unpatriotically put their lives at risk. This we must not do. They deserve better from us.”
“To say that we do not need the services of those who are patriotic enough to voluntarily put their lives at risk to ensure the protection of the lives and property of Nigerians is to deny the obvious.
“I salute groups like the Civilian Joint Task Force in the North East, who provided and continue to provide an invaluable service to Nigeria and her peoples, at great cost to themselves, both in human lives and in productive hours, for which they are not well remunerated. Without their altruistic services, where would the war on terror be?
“I also acknowledge and appreciate the work that hunters and vigilantes have done and are still doing to help boost security in states scattered across Nigeria, including in the North East and Zamfara, Jigawa and Taraba states, to mention a few. Not a few Nigerians are able to sleep with two eyes closed, because of the action of these bodies of dedicated and gallant countrymen.
“Nigeria has crossed the rubicon and cannot go back. There is too much insecurity in the land and too much inefficiency from the Federal Government, leading to wanton and unnecessary loss of lives. It is easy to think that all is well when you are in secure State Houses, but the reality is that the security situation is far from fine for the average Nigerian citizen.
“In such circumstances, people have an inalienable God given right to self defense. This divine right, as long as it is limited to self defense, cannot be declared illegal by man. Not by any stretch.
“What I counsel is that the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary must wake up and smell the coffee. When they do, they will realize that people who have volunteered to provide the internal security, that the government has not been able to provide, need encouragement, and more importantly, a legal framework and central support to make their dream of preserving the dignity of human life a reality. Internal security is not a call for secession and we must abandon the paranoia that makes us see it as such. All calls for secession must be quashed by the might of the Nigerian state, no exceptions!
“But on the matter of internal security as a means of self defense, I call on all and sundry to speak up. The right to self-defense, including the right to combat terror, that it is guaranteed by international law, enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, of which Nigeria is a signatory,” the former vice president said.
Akeredolu on Miyetti Allah
And amidst concerns by the former leaders, the Chairman South-West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has again restated the governors’ commitment towards the sustenance ofOperation Amotekun in the zone.
He said all legal means would be deployed to achieve same without necessarily affecting the nation’s unity.
Speaking in a statement Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ojo Oyemide the governor said the outburst of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) live on national television, was not without some collaborators from the zone.
Among other things, MACBAN berated the idea and said it would not help the region’s bid for the nation’s presidency in 2023.
Reacting to the statement, the governor said : “Is it not curious that it was shortly after a supposed Senator whose immediate environment is the most affected by insecurity, pummelled Amotekun that the Federal Attorney General came out that same evening to issue a statement?
“These are the internal collaborators who have sold the South-west out. However, we must emphasise that our unity and cohesion as a nation are two cherished features that we cannot afford to undermine.”
Commenting on the allegation that governance in the state had been turned to a family affair, Akeredolu said: “For one, Oyedele who is the Executive Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company appears to have been overwhelmed in the pool of fantasy to the extent that he forgot he had indicted himself. It means Oyedele has failed in his sojourn as a power expert at that level of engagement if his Division has not had power for years.
“The governorship of Ondo state is open for all to contest. But it is seemingly laughable for undiscerning minds to interpret running taps for proper qualification. Oyedele has a lot more to learn. Being available as a stakeholders’ ATM means he deserves to be pitied at all times.”
Ekiti
Reports from Ekiti state said relevant stakeholders trooped out Tuesday for a solidarity rally in support of Amotekun.
The solidarity rally, led by a cleric, leaders of local hunters and Oodua People’s Congress, also attracted other stakeholders in the state.
Also in attendance were members of the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS), Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Yoruba Koya, Man ‘O War, Oodua Union, Ekiti Council of Elders and Agbekoya among others.
The police and operatives of the Department of State Services provided security cover for the protesters who trekked from the popular Fajuyi Park through Okesa junction, Ojumose to the popular Erekesan market and Ijigbo area of Ado-Ekiti capital city.
Various speakers at the rally insisted Amotekun had come to stay in the south-west region, and clarified it was not formed to fight Fulani herdsmen, except the unruly and destructive ones.
Coordinator of the peaceful protest, Pastor Praise Ayodele, while speaking at the rally said: “Amotekun has come to stay in the South-west Nigeria. We are not fighting anybody. The security of our people is very important. We are to do this to support our governors that we are happy with Amotekun.
“It is sad that our people were being killed and kidnapped and many of these carnages were without arrests. We are daily in fear of being killed and these and many more are the reasons for the formation of Amotekun.”
Also addressing the crowd, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Kayode Fayemi on Internal Security and former Speaker of the Ekiti state House of Assembly, Hon. Dele Olugbemi, said: “The Amotekun is for easy identification of all visitors to Ekiti and south-west . It is sad that Malami made pronouncement over issue he knew nothing about. He spoke as if he didn’t know the level of insecurity in this zone.
“Some of these evil doers besieged even our towns, killed the people and destroyed everything in the farm. Amotekun will work in their localities and it is not about fighting anybody.”
In a similar remark, coordinator of Oodua Union, Hon Femi Robinson said the security architecture in the country had collapsed and that local security became imperative, saying,” if Amotekun disarms armed robbers, are they not helping the police?”
Osun protesters too..
Similar rally was held in Osogbo, Osun state, where protesters marched round the state capital, persuading people to key into the programme and join hands with the governors to ensure the success of the programme.
Chairman of the state chapter of Yoruba World Congress and convener of the rally, Dr Akin Adejuwon, said the rally was aimed at creating awareness, mobilising people to ensure the success of the security outfit.
“The Southwestern part has been known to be the most peaceful part of Nigeria for generations and we have discovered that peace is being cut short by some calculated efforts of brigands and all sort of negative powers.
“Amotekun is the instantaneous response to a very serious problem that is very typical in the Southwestern part of Nigeria.
Ogun CSOs
Further support was drummed Tuesday for the regional security outfit in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.
Although the rally witnessed a low turnout, men of the State Police Command, led by the State Commissioner, Kenneth Ebrimson as well as other security agents like the DSS and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were fully on ground in their large number to maintain law and order at the rally.
The planned nationwide solidarity rally, held at the Open ground, Panseke, Abeokuta, was attended by members of the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Yoruba World Congress (YWC), Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide (YCYW) and NANS among others.
The participants arrived the venue of the rally as early as 8am, but the rally did not start until 11am.
Some of the participants were carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as: “No Amotekun, No Hisbah!”, “Scrap Amotekun, scrap Nigeria”, “Every Yoruba is Amotekun” and “Amotekun is here, end has come to our suffering.”
Addressing the participants, coordinator of the rally, Jimoh Olawale Taofeek, said, the rally was organised to clarify that Amotekunwas not to victimise any individual but to protect lives and property while complementing the efforts of security agencies.
He said the security initiative was not to destabilise or target any tribe but to secure the lives and property of the people in a manner that would bring peace of mind to the people.
Olawale explained that Amotekun is not only meant for Yoruba people alone but also all residents of the South-west region.
He said: “We are here to reach out to the larger public. We want to tell the federal government and the entire Nigerian populace that we want Amotekun in South-west. If Hisbah can be in the Northern states, if there can be Azaru, there can be Civilian JTF, if there can be vigilance groups, some of them even carry arms, arresting even legitimate police officers and being prosecuted, so there is no reason why we should not considerAmotekun in South-west.
“Besides, I want make it very clear that Amotekun is not to witch hunt anybody whatsoever. I think one of the major responsibilities of the government is to protect the masses; the safety of lives and properties is the major responsibility of the government. And I see no reason why anybody, quote and unquote should say no to Amotekun.”
“It is should be other way round, where the Federal government should give kudos to our Governors for complementing security efforts with Amotekun.
Also speaking, NANS representative, Sowumi Emmanuel appealed to the National Assembly to pass a law to give legal backing to Amotekun.
Emmanuel said: “Those not in support of Amotekun are against the peace of Nigeria, are against the security of the South West Region and are against our safety as citizens of the country”
Speaking to journalists at the rally, the Commissioner of Police, Ebrimson, insisted that the command had no prior knowledge of the rally, saying, “the police was never informed of any protest or rally.”
Ebrimson said, “I am on routine visit, everyday, I go round the metro to ensure that everywhere is calm but I got intelligence reports that some groups, yet to be identified are trying to protest or do rally and I just came around to talk to my men and place them to ensure that there is no breach of peace.
“Nobody told me, nobody wrote to me of any protest, my own duty is to ensure that I come out to ensure that there is no breach of peace, that law abiding citizens go about their business unhindered.”
