Taraba State, Governor Darius Ishaku, has asked the Federal government to allow Nigerians to carry licenced guns to defend themselves amid the myriads of security challenges facing the country.
Ishaku stated this on Tuesday when 15 local government chairmen of the state paid him a condolence visit after the burial of one of them who was kidnapped and subsequently killed by gunmen.
He lamented the worsening state of insecurity, adding that the situation has gone to its lowest ebb and demands to reawaken.
“The security in this country has gone to the lowest ebb and we have to all wake-up. We as leaders have given us advises 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.”
Governor Ishaku sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives to insecurity, noting that the late Ardo-Kola LGA chairman, Salihu Dovo held a security meeting with stakeholders of the council before he was killed.
He explained that while the victim was being whisked away by his abductors, he now recognised one of them and even mentioned his name which led to his death.
The governor also disclosed that so far four people have been arrested, asking the security agencies to arrest everyone in connection to the crime.
“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 the correction.
“Try and sensitize your traditional rulers on the fact that any new settler in their communities should be reported for the screening of conduct and if sustained we will minimize the casualties within the society.
“Neither you the chairmen nor the chiefs do not have the right to give land and anyone who seeks same should report to the higher authority for scrutiny,” he added.
