Insecurity: Tambuwal Seeks Maximum Punishment For Unlawful Possession Of Arms

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has called on the presidency and the national assembly to come up with a legislation that would prescribe either a death sentence or life imprisonment for unlawful possession of arms in the country.

Muhammad Bello,Special Adviser ,Media and Publicity to the Governor, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Speaking at an interactive session against the backdrop of insecurity in parts of the state and beyond, with students and youth on security at the Sultan Maccido Center , Tambuwal expressed dissatisfaction over the proliferation of small and light weapons (SALWs) in the country.

 

According to him, there are more SALWs in the hand of non state actors across the country than there are in the hands of security operatives.

“I am therefore appealing to the National Assembly and the Presidency to come up with a legislation that will prescribe a disarmament period in the country.

“Those in possession of unlicenced arms should go and register them and if the arms cannot be licensed, they should be surrendered to government and the government will pay you your money.

“And after the grace period, a maximum punishment like a death sentence or life imprisonment should be prescribed for unlawful possession of arms. This is the only way we can have peace in this country,” he said

The Governor also suggested a robust recruitment of security manpower, especially the police, in order to ensure the protection of the citizenry.

While calling for an improved renumeration and life insurance for security operatives in the country, he, however, commended the federal government for establishing the Police Trust Fund, which would go a long way in addressing their challenges.

On the bandits activities in some parts of Sokoto, the Governor said arrangements are in top gear to establish a state vigilante group which could be deployed to troubled areas.

The group, he explained would operate within the ambit of the law and in conjunction with the security agencies, so “that they will not take law into their hands.”

He recalled that the recent reprisal attacks in which the bandits killed dozens was triggered by the activities of vigilante in some of the areas attacked.

The Governor who noted that ignorance and climate change are among the causes of insecurity in the state, said some of the bandits lacked even basic knowledge of Islam, thus ignorant of what the religion says on killing of innocent soul.

He tasked the dominant religious groups in the state to take their preachings to villages and other remote areas where it was needed the most, saying that education was vital to peace and development.

Sokoto State has been hit with series of attack on citizens by bandits and gunmen leading to hundred reported death cases.

Meanwhile the8th Division of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Sokoto got more operational vehicles from the state government in support of its efforts to stem the tide of banditry in the state.

The Nigerian Air Force too got a donation of 3 Toyota Hiluxes with a further pledge of four Volkswagen Golf saloon cars.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, whose administration has donated 98 vehicles to a cross section of the security agencies in the state, Saturday made the latest donations.

Represented by his Deputy, Mannir Muhammad Dan Iya, the Governor said the additional operational vehicles, which will bring to a total 108 of such donated to the security agencies are in furtherance of his quest to uproot banditry from the state.

According to him, the purpose of the donations is to assist the agencies to intensify their operations to halt the menace of banditry in the state.

Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the Nigerian Army and the 8 Division, the Garrison Commander, Brig. Gen. G.A. Gara expressed gratitude to the Governor and assured him that the Division will do its best possible to roll back banditry in the state.