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Peoples Democratic Party chieftain and former Delta state governorship aspirant, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has condemned claim of Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, that herders should carry AK47. The outspoken PDP chieftain is, however, in support of Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, claim that bandits should be eliminated.
Recall that Bala Mohammed said herders have no option than to carry AK47 for personal protection and that of their cows.
Reacting to the governor’s claim in Asaba, Delta state, Onuesoke said it is not only shocking but embarrassing for a governor who is a chief security of a state to make such an arrant statement when there is Nigerian Firearms Act (1990) which provides that no person shall have in his possession or under his control any firearm or ammunition except such person has a license from the President or from the Inspector General of Police.
Wondering what right do herdsmen have that made them different from others, Onuesoke explained that AK-47 is not a soft weapon that should be registered for anybody for gaming or for personal protection, adding that it is only the government security personnel alone that are allowed by law to use it.
He said allowing herdsmen to carry AK47 about will give them a preferential treatment than other Nigerians and it can also make them do and undo as law abiding Nigerians are experiencing at present.
“And if the governor says because of the hazard of their business then the okada riders, the keke riders, the taxi drivers, farmers, traders and in short all Nigerians should carry AK-47 because there is no business without hazard,” he stated.
Onuesoke disclosed that what is expected of Governor Bala is to caution the herdsmen to respect the law and the people on whose lands they do business instead of forcefully occupying their lands, terrorising innocent citizens and molesting their women.
“As long as those in authority in the North continue to make this kind of statements, the herders’ crisis will continue to aggravate and embolden these people to do the kind of criminal activities that they are doing,” he observed.
While supporting the call by El-Rufai for the elimination of bandits, Onuesoke said the current level of insecurity in Nigeria which is due to these cancerous, savage group must be confronted without mercy.
Onuesoke stated that he respects Mallam El-Rufai for the sentiment, adding that voice is what we need from our leaders and everything will be fixed.
“Members of this group destroyed human life, create severe environment that is not conducive for investment. Farmers are too scare to go for farming which is impacting negatively on food supplies in our Nation. These gangs must be remove from the soil of our dear Nation. Do we have to wait until our Nation get to point of no return, definitely no. Time to take the fight to them,” Onuesoke stated
