Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba has challenged the federal government to allow Nigerians to carry licensed guns to defend themselves amid the growing insecurity across the country.
Mr. Ishaku spoke at the funeral of Salihu Dovo, former chairman of Ardo-Kola L.G.A, who was murdered in cold blood on January 24 by unknown gunmen.
The governor who was at the funeral with 15 other local government chairmen from the state decried worsening state of insecurity while demanding a restructuring of the security system being operated in the country.
“The security in this country has gone to the lowest ebb and we have to all wake up. We as leaders have given our advice severally as to the change to the security architecture, you cannot keep doing one thing over and over and expect a different result,” he said.
“If we cannot be able to provide security for our citizens, then allow all the citizens to buy AK47, because if everybody is licensed with AK47, I swear nobody will come to your house, or peradventure he does then it depends on who is faster.”
“In a situation where we are all gagged with one security system that has been unable to work, and we are told to sit down and be counting the day our turn will come, I do not agree with it,” Mr. Ishaku emphasised.
The governor later disclosed that Mr. Salihu held a security meeting with stakeholders in the L.G.A before he was kidnapped and killed in cold blood, apparently because he recognised one of his abductors and called out his name.
“At least 20 men went to his house, that’s the information I have, and they were all armed with AK47 rifles, let them fish them out at least for once we should set an example and make corrections,” he said.
“Try and sensitise your traditional rulers on the fact that any new settler in their communities should be reported for screening of conduct and if sustained we will minimize the casualties within the society”.
“Neither you the chairmen nor the chiefs have the right to give land and anyone who seeks same should report to the higher authority for scrutiny,” the governor told the local government chairmen.
Mr. Ishaku, however, disclosed that four people have so far been arrested in connection with the murder. He also urged security operative to arrest others that are connected to the murder case. Taraba is one of the states severely affected by insecurity in the country, it is located in the Northeastern region of the country where there are high incidences of insurgency, banditry and communal clashes.
