The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, has appealed to the Federal Government to allow Nigerians carry AK-47 and Rocket-Propelled Grenade to protect themselves from terrorists and other criminals.
He made the appeal when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, noting that it is the right way to go.
Radda said: “If a bandit can go to the market and buy AK-47, RPG and all of those weapons, what of the people that want to protect themselves?
“They too should equally be allowed to do so.
“These people are holding it illegally, we are trying to hold it legally.
“Why can’t the government allow the people to hold this thing and equally confront the challenges?
“We must protect ourselves.
“It is even against our religious belief to allow someone to just come and kill us and take our property just like that.
“We have to put efforts to protect ourselves and that is the aim of the government.”
Radda, who recently inaugurated a 1,500-strong Community Watch Corps in the state to combat terrorism, said he was prepared to battle criminals to a standstill, adding that those feeling the heat already have been threatening to kill him.
He said: “I have told you before, I will only die once not twice and it is only a coward who will sit back and allow someone to kill him.
“I will not go begging bandits to come for negotiations.
“It is so disheartening and demoralising.
“When you are negotiating with bandits, it is a sign of weakness for me.
“Let us deal with the situation.
“If they are weak, let them come out.
“Let us negotiate and we will reintegrate them back into society.
“They are our people, our brothers, but we cannot protect a criminal.
“A criminal is a criminal regardless of his religion or ethnicity.
“This country has gone beyond the level of sentiments.
“It is unfortunate when you hear people saying all sorts of things because it is not their brothers that were killed.
“My brother by the same father and mother was killed by these bandits.
Also Read:
- Ayo Adebanjo: Last of the titans — Ogun Afenifere
- Intimate Affairs: Your marriage ain’t the worst, by Funke Egbemode
- Iyanda’s impressive rise to gospel music prominence
- NNPC refutes ‘misleading claims’ in viral video on petrol standard
- Kenyan runner wins Access Bank Lagos City Marathon
“So nobody can drag me into sentiments.
“We are beyond that.
“And my determination to drive this thing is 100 percent and I will do it and I don’t mind the consequences because God is with us.”
Radda said some traditional rulers in the state were under probe over their alleged “romance” with bandits, stressing that whoever was found to be a sponsor or ally of bandits would not be spared no matter how highly placed.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
