Insecurity: Tambuwal seeks death sentence for unlawful possession of arms

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has urged the National Assembly to enact a legislation that would prescribe death sentence or life imprisonment for unlawful possession of arms in the country.

Gov. Tambuwal made this call in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Muhammad Bello.

The statement said Tambuwal was talking to students and youths in an interactive session on security matters in Sokoto state at the weekend.

The governor said that there are more small and light weapons in the hands of non-actors across the country, than there are in the hands of security operatives.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the proliferation of small and light weapons in the country, adding that “I am therefore, appealing to the National Assembly and the Presidency to come up with a legislation that will proscribe disarmament in the country.

“Those in possession of unlicensed arms should go and register them and if the arms cannot be licensed, they should be surrendered to government and the government will pay them,” he said.

He however, said they should be given a grace period, after the grace period, those who do not comply, if caught should be given the maximum punishment.

The governor stated that a death sentence or life imprisonment should be prescribed for unlawful possession of arms as this is the only way peace can be restored and preserved in the country.

He also suggested a robust recruitment and equipping of security agencies, especially the police in order to ensure the protection of citizens and urged stakeholders to improve the remuneration, and life insurance policy for security operatives in the country.

Tambuwal commended the federal government for establishing the police trust fund, which would go a long way in addressing their challenges.

On the activities of bandits in some parts of the state, the governor said arrangements are in top gear to establish a state vigilante group which can be deployed to troubled areas.

He explained that the group would operate within the ambit of the law and in conjunction with the security agencies, so that they will not take laws into their hands.

He recalled that the recent reprisal attacks in which the bandits killed dozens was triggered by the activities of vigilante in some of the areas attacked.

The governor noted that ignorance and climate change are among the causes of insecurity in the state, adding that some of the bandits lack basic knowledge of Islam, thus they are ignorant of what the religion says on killing of innocent souls.

He tasked the dominant religious groups in the state to take their preaching to villages and other remote areas where it is needed the most, noting that education is vital to peace and development.