Rodiyat Shittu – Kaduna
President Muhammed Buhari’s directive on the ‘shoot on sight’ anyone found in possessions of Arms has continued to heat various reactions from citizens, as some have described it as been ‘coward’ from the part of the government.
They have continued to believe that the reconciliation and negotiations approach is most efficient in putting an end to the long-time security challenges, such as banditry, terrorism, kidnapping among others which the country had continued to face.
Governments at all levels have therefore been called to support this approach initiated by some persons rather than criticizing it.
Speaking at a meeting held in Kaduna to discuss security challenges among peace advocates of the Niger-Delta and the Northern regions, a one time senator in the state, Shehu Sani noted that the non-negotiable approach used by Government in putting an end to security challenges have failed woefully, and there is no harm resulting to other approaches as seen sued by some persons
“Since the intervention of Dr. Gumi, there has been a lot of conversation and debate going around the country, whether there is usefulness or legitimacy of taking different parts from the one that was been taken by the State Governments.
“Well the reality is clear, in the last one decade, forces have been applied in an attempt to extinguish the reign of terror in our country, and the use of force has not been able to deliver any result, rather killings, violence, and bloodshed continue.
“But it is very clear that their are people who are uncomfortable with this initiative, so we are providing a platform to enlighten and educate the citizens to see the value, essence of taking another another approach other that the one been taking by the state.”
Shehu Sani buttressing further said, “Security is our collective responsibility as citizens, then this is part of the citizen intervention to bring about peace.
“People who kill, people who maim, people who unleash violence against another can be defeated not just by arms, but by the power of reasoning and power of the spirit. As a cleric that is what he can only do, and I believe that if you cannot praise him, support him, reinforce him, it is unfair and unjust to outrightly condemn him”.
Speaking also, Founder and President for Peace and Non-violence in Nigeria, Onengiya Erekosima, also believed that peace in Nigeria is achievable within a short period of time if the necessary ways are used.
“The Niger-Delta Peace pride, who had succeeded in helping to have quenched the militancy war in the region, using the Non-Violence approach argued that Nigeria is not a coward country, so he should not fight cowardly.
“We totally come against anything force, we are saying reconciliation. The Government can not be weak, Nigeria Gov’t is not weak. What Yar’adua did was a show of strength. For any man to carry a gun, he is Strong but instead of using that man positively, we are destroying him, if another man wants to fight Nigeria, do we have such men. Nigeria is destroying their strong men. It is not easy to carry a gun, for you to carry a gun, you are strong but we have to use them positively.
“Nigeria is a coward because it is fighting cowardly. The system is what we have to correct, when we correct the system our people will not take to violent. From the day the government listen, one year would be too much to Solve Nigeria problem”
He appreciated the effort of the northern cleric, Sheikh Gumi for going in such a direction too.
On his part, Gumi has asked for all hand to be on deck so as to achieve the much desired stability in the Country.
The meeting was attended by various group associations, such as Northern youth initiative forum for peace; miyyetti allah, Fuldan, representatives from katsina and Zamfara rrspectively among others.
