- Asks Govt To Apply ‘Iron Fist’ On Bandits Like It’s Doing To Secessionists
Former Senator Shehu Sani has berated the federal government for allegedly pampering bandits while launching manhunt for leaders of separatist agitations.
According to the former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in 8th Senate, bandits who are terrorising the country are more dangerous than the separatists who are agitating for self-determination and new nations.
The Kaduna politician said this on an Arise TV programme, monitored by The New Diplomat, Sunday.
Sani raised the argument in respect of the recent DSS invasion of the Ibadan residence of Yoruba Nation Agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly hailed as Igboho and the arrest and extradition of leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to Nigeria.
Kanu and Igboho are agitating for an independent Biafran nation and Yoruba nation respectively alongside their co-agitators.
Many Nigerians and political critics had alleged the federal government of double standard in its approach in dealing with separatists, while claims rent the air that state actors are negotiating with bandits who are kidnapping for huge ransom.
A popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who recently added the title of a ‘chief negotiator’ on behalf of the bandits had in recent time championed the advocacy for the rights of the marauding bandits.
Gumi had at different times advocated for amnesty to be granted to the bandits who are terrorising northwest region of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Sani in his reaction criticized the government, saying that the bandits who need “iron fist” have not been treated in ‘a language they understand’
The activist and politician urged the federal government to apply the same approach it is using in dealing with Kanu and Igboho currently to deal with the bandits.
In his words, “I do not think that there are not instances in Northern Nigeria, for example Sheikh El Zakzaky have been in detention for seven years now, he is hausa/Fulani, he is from Northern Nigeria and he is leading Islamic movement of Nigeria. His movement has been proscribed, his children have been killed, his house has been demolished and he is under trial for murder. So, you can see the case of Zakzaky who is also a northerner and what he is facing.
“If you are putting it in comparative terms from what the government does to a separatists and what the government does to bandits and terrorist, I think they are not far from the truth. There is nobody else in the northwest who is a bandit that has been arrested for killing and kidnapping people, so it is right to say that there is a form of discriminatory and form of a selective approach because the bandits in the northwest are not properly treated and addressed in the language of force which they will understand.
“But there is more interest in terms of going after the separatists and I share this believe that the government should apply the same verocity, iron fist it is applying on separatists on bandits. The bandits in most cases have been pampered, you will see cases where they will sit down with Governors, and negotiating with them.”
Speaking further on the government approach in dealing with separatists, Sani urged the government to ensure that the rights of Kanu and Igboho are respected.
Recall that recently Kanu was arrested by a team of security operatives and extradited to Nigeria, last Sunday.
Situation surrounding the arrest of the fugitive leader has continued to stir endless controversies as many have been speculating on how and where the IPOB leader was arrested.
Similarly, Igboho’s residence was raided by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) 72 hours to the Yoruba Nation Rally which held in Lagos State on Saturday amid chaos.
Although, the DSS has come out to disclose that the invasion of the activist’s residence was due to an intelligence report that he was stockpiling arms to cause havoc, however, many claim it is a ploy by the federal government to silence the agitation of Igboho.
Meanwhile, Sani while advocating for the rights of the duo urged the government to remember that they are Nigerians and deserve to be treated in line with the rule of law.
“When the government fights insurgent, dictatorship and autocracy of government, I am for that but I can’t say because Nnamdi Kanu is arrested so he should be slaughter without going through the process of the law. However, Sunday Igboho is not arrested, my views on that is that I don’t share his view but his fundamental rights should also be respected. If he is also arrested what I will say is that his right should also be respected. So it is not that I am supporting one and opposing one, both of them I don’t not share their view but they are Nigerians and they deserve their rights to be respected,” he added.
