In South-West, Yorubaland, we are only against criminals, kidnappers, terrorists and jihadists hiding under the guise of Fulani herdsmen to terrorise our people and take over our heritage.
We saw, and we are seeing what they are still doing in Benue, Plateau, Niger and Southern Kaduna, as well some other parts of the country. We also noticed the reluctance of the President Muhammadu Buhari/All Progressives Congress (APC) government to arrest or prosecute these kidnappers, bandits and terrorists.
We will not allow them to do same in Yorubaland. We will not wait until they kidnap 500 school children before we deal with them. I hope you get my points.
It is certainly not about Arewa: It is about the killer Fulani herdsmen, bandits and terrorists. It is about the protection of our lives and properties. It is about the protection of our women and children. It is about the protection of our culture and way of life. It is about the protection of our heritage.
Agreed, the West Africa ECOWAS Protocol allows freedom of movement by citizens of member states. But such citizens must abide by the laws of their host countries. The ECOWAS Protocol is not and does not permit terrorism, kidnapping, rape and murder of citizens of host communities and nations. It does not provide any licence for criminalities.
In Nigeria, the various state governments, through the governors, are empowered to manage land resources, by the Land Use Act. Any use of land, including forests, must be approved by the governors.
The state government and governors are the chief security officers of their respective states, and they are saddled with the responsibility to ensure and take appropriate steps and measures for the protection of lives and properties of their citizens. This is a constitutional right and responsibility that is not negotiable.
The people also have a right to self-protection, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and the universal fundamental human rights.
All steps must be taken to ensure that our people can go about their legitimate business and live in peace in their homes. They should be able to carry out their commercial activities, including farming, agribusiness, without any hindrances from terrorists, kidnappers and killer Fulani herdsmen.
The National Assembly should, as a matter of national urgency, enact the state Police Act to ensure that each state can set up their police authorities, with appropriate safe guards, and accountability to the people. A state police, with provisions for checks and balances to guarantee accountability to the people and citizens, is long over due. The time is now.
Steps must also be taken to ensure the professional and operational independence of the Nigeria Police and the Department of States Security (DSS) from the absolute draconian control of the president.
It has now been proven beyond doubt that the security and law enforcement agencies must enjoy operational independence, with accountability to Nigerians, and not under the whims and caprices of the president. The Police Act must be amended to remove the president as chairman.
Provisions must also be made for the establishment of an independent police complaints commissioner to be recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and confirmed by the National Assembly or the state legislature.
There is still hope for Nigeria, but time is fast running out.
Dr Olorunfemi writes from Kent, the United Kingdom.
