The House of Representatives has faulted statement credited to Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, justifying illegal beating of firearms by Fulani herders.
The House in a resolution on Tuesday, therefore cautioned public officials against such statements, actions tions and polices that can cause unrest in the country.
Following a motion moved under matters of urgent public importance on the matter by Hon. Dachong Bagos, leadership of the House has been mandated to interface with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), as most of these inflammatory statements were coming from its members, so as to find possible solution in addressing insecurity in Nigeria.
Bagos in moving the motion, noted that such inflammatory or divisive policies, statements, actions and the like that are capable of provoking aggressive reactions from the members of the general public should be avoided, especially by persons holding public offices.
The lawmaker recalled that on the 13‘h of February, 2021, governor Mohammed who should; based on the insecurity problems in the country need to have been careful with statements and actions was reported to have justified the illegal bearing of firearms by Fulani herdsmen, which has caused national outrage.
He argued that “the constitution does not grant any individual or group of people the right to bare sophisticated arms but only a licensed specified shooting range to that effect from the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force (IGP);
“Even if the IGP were to grant licenses, the IG’s power cannot contravene the provisions of Chapter F28 LFN 004 Fire Arms Act which classifies the arms (AK47) carried by Fulani herdsmen as ascribed by the Bauchi State governor illegal and prohibited”, adding that such statements as Bala’s “will lead to the erroneous belief that the government supports the perpetrated crimes of carrying prohibited firearms”.
