The Southern Governors Forum, on Monday, has advised Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, to stop selective arrests or groups of people alleged to have committed one crime or another and always stick to the law.
Recall the President Buhari administration had arrested the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, on June 29, in Kenya and brought him back to Nigeria to face his trial
At a joint press briefing on Tuesday, June 29, with the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja, Mr Malami disclosed that international collaborative efforts with security agencies led to Mr Kanu’s arrest and repatriation to Nigeria.
On Thursday, July 1, the Department of State Services (DSS), had attacked the residence of the Yoruba Freedom Fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, at the Soka area, Ibadan, Oyo State capital while the two people were killed.
Though Igboho had escaped the raid, his house and cars were riddled with bullets while bloodstains splattered over the floors of the house.
Meanwhile, the Southern Governors Forum told the President Muhammadu Buhari government to always stick to the law while arresting individuals and or groups of people alleged to have committed one crime or another.
They resolved that security agencies must notify them as the chief security officer of their states before they carry out any operation within their domain.
This was contained in a communiqué issued today at the end of the governors’ meeting in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State. It was signed by the Governor of Ondo State and Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
The communiqué didn’t explicitly mention the recent raid of the Department of State Services on the Ibadan residence of Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho, but the decision of the governors was a veiled reference to the incident.
The meeting reviewed the situation in the country and focused on the current security situation, constitutional amendment, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), among other things.
READ ALSO: Did DSS recycle 2013 pictures as items recovered from Igboho’s house?
The Governors agreed that the country should remain united but on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people.
The communique said “The Forum reviewed the security situation in the country and commends security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety and commiserates with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty;
“Re-emphasised the need for State Police.
“Resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any state, the Chief Security Officer of the State must be duly informed.
“The forum frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights,” the communique added.
The Forum also announced that henceforth Lagos will now function as its permanent secretariat.
Keywords: Sunday Igboho, Nnamdi Kanu, Southern governors, DSS, President Buhari,
