By Asma’u Halilu, Kaduna

Traditional rulers in the North have urged Nigerians to remain calm and support security agencies in order to overcome  the current security challenges bedeviling the Country.

The traditional rulers made the appeal in Kaduna through the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamalli at a townhall meeting on security organised by the National Security Adviser in Kaduna.

The Emir said Nigerians, particularly Northerners should remain calm as government was working immensely to ensure the situation was resolved.

Bamalli who spoke on behalf of the Northern states traditional leaders, urged Nigerians not to escalate the situation.

“Northern traditional leaders are bleeding about the current situations and appeal to all Nigerians to embrace one another irrespective of their differences,” he said.

Also, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi who spoke on behalf of Muslim and Christian religious leaders in Kaduna State,said, Nigerians should explore peace irrespective of their differences.

Gumi said, “It’s high time Nigerians forget their political, ethnic and religious differences and come together as one to ensure things work out well.”

Gumi emphasised the need for every citizen to contribute their quota so as to achieve tranquility, peace and progress in the Country.

He applauded the Northern Governor’s efforts toward tackling insecurity bedevilling the region and called on clerics to reach out to their followers and sensitise them on the importance of peace.

“I’m calling on all clerics, Muslims and Christians, this is the time for you to come out and forget any differences amongst us and any rancour between us”.

“Please go to your Churches, go to your Mosques, reach out to people in rural areas and tell them peace is possible in Nigeria as Nigeria’s prosperity is possible,” he stressed.

Gumi thanked the NSA for organising the town half meeting, hoping that it would help douse the tension over recent clashes in parts of the Country.

He urged all northerners to support the action being taken by government and other leaders to ensure peace prevails.

Confidence Okwuchi

By Eme Offiong, Calabar 

The Nigerian Army led “Operation Akpakwu” has uncovered and neutralised a criminal hideout in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, south-south Nigeria.

The Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army Calabar, Brigadier General Mohammed Abdullahi told newsmen that the joint task force flushed out the black spot, which was an abandoned structure where miscreants sleep at night.

Brigadier General Abdullahi represented by Major Stanley Ikpeme, said that the army discovered the hideout while on the trail of eight suspected persons.

He stated, “during our investigation, it was discovered that the compound in question is confirmed to be a black spot with an abandon structure where criminals sleep at night.”

“The Operation Akpakwu is committed to put an end to the wave of kidnapping and criminalities in our society. The Nigerian Army in partnership with sister agencies is not resting on its oars until peace and security is restored,” Abdullahi said.

The Commander handed over four suspects apprehended during the raid to the Cross River State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

Demolitions
It would be recalled that Operation Akpakwu demolished more than fifteen buildings in Calabar known to be hideouts for criminals and houses owned by kidnap kingpins.

The task force through the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties to the Cross River Governor, Dr. Alfred Mboto said, “the governor had before now told all landlords in the state to evict any criminals using their houses as a place of refuge or stand to have his property demolished. From the exercise so far, we are not relenting. In fact, we have received massive support from the residents of these state, who can now sleep with both eyes closed”.

Mboto noted that even houses, hotels and other building constructed from the proceeds of kidnappers were pulled down.

“After thorough investigation we pull down houses owned by kidnappers. We will continue to uncover more of these properties. We know that the Nigerian Government including the state have different empowerment schemes for our youths and we need to encourage them to seek legitimate means of making a living than the pursuit of crime,” he added.

Confidence Okwuchi

The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading, a bill seeking to alter the firearms Act, as part of government’s efforts to prevent and curtail circulation of illegal firearms.

Some of the provisions of the bill include upward review of fines for offenders and destruction of firearms illegally imported into Nigeria or those owned by individuals without valid license.

United Nations’ regional centre for peace and disarmament in Africa recently published a report stating that proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons in Nigeria has reached alarming proportion.

Besides, analysts estimate that out of about 500m illegal arms in West Africa, 350m can be found in Nigeria.

Other objectives of the bill include, provision of stipulated time for destroying unserviceable firearms, except in cases where there is a valid court order to the contrary.

It also seeks to proffer effective coordinated and sustained legislative strategy to address the underlying factors encouraging arms circulation and to block the outlets through which they are proliferated illegally.

Sponsor of the bill, Senator Uba Sani believes that if passed and assented into law, “it will help government to take proactive measures in stopping easy access to and re-circulation of illegal arms in Nigerian communities”.

The bill was thereafter referred to the committee on Judiciary and Legal matters for further legislative actions.

Nneka Ukachukwu