From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Piqued by the spate of insecurity, the Arewa Grassroots Leaders Assembly (AGLA), has charged President Bola Tinubu, to legalize the use of firearms, specifically for rural communities to defend themselves.
It condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Niger, and Zamfara states, lamenting that the carnage was becoming unbearable.
AGLA President, Onogu Collins, who briefed journalists yesterday, in Abuja, claimed that over 300 people have been killed, as a result of communal clashes especially in the northern parts of the country.
Collins argued that peace talks, the ceremonial signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between warring communities and the assurances of the government to address the problems have failed to yield any meaningful results.
He said: “The Arewa Grassroot Leaders Assembly (AGLA) strongly condemns the recent wave of killings in Northern Nigeria, particularly in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Niger, and Zamfara states. These attacks have claimed hundreds of innocent lives, and the situation is spiraling out of control.
“We urge President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and security agencies to take immediate action to stop the carnage; address the security challenges in the region.
“Prioritize the security situation in Nigeria over international travels; deploy more security personnel to affected areas; establish a task force to investigate and apprehend perpetrators.”
Also, he demanded the government to “address the root causes of these attacks, including poverty, unemployment, and marginalization; hold those responsible accountable, regardless of their position; legalize AK-47s for rural communities.”
Beyond the legalisation of the use of firearms, he charged the government to “increase funding for security agencies and provide them with necessary equipment and resources.”
Moreso, he proposed that the government should introduce the support community-led security initiatives which would include community vigilance groups and neighborhood watches.
In conclusion, he said AGLA “will continue to monitor the situation and hold the government accountable for the safety and security of our people. We demand action, not rhetoric.”