President Mohammed Buhari has ruled that security officers should deal less compassionately with criminals and any person unlawfully wielding a weapon.
While addressing the security challenges in the country, the president reiterated the directive that anyone with illegitimate access to or ownership of an AK-47 should be shot at sight.
He indicated this on Monday while speaking at a meeting with the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria at the State House, co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
Buhari, while addressing the challenges conveyed his discontent with the recent events in the north.
‘‘what surprises are what is happening now in the North West where the same people, with the same culture, are killing each other, taking their livestock and burning properties.
‘‘As a result of that, we had a four-hour meeting of the National Security Council attended by the Ministers of Internal Affairs, Defense, Foreign Affairs, Service Chiefs, Chief of Defense Staff, the Inspector-General of Police and others and we gave clear instructions.
‘‘One thing that got to the press which I read myself was that anyone with an AK-47 will be shot.
‘‘This is because AK-47 is supposed to be registered and it is only given to security officials, “he said.
He noted that despite shutting down the country’s borders, criminals have managed to find a way to ensure the circulation of illicit arms.
Buhari disclosed that the intelligence reports received showed that those responsible for abductions, murder are still not short of arms and ammunition.
‘‘We closed the borders for some years but the intelligence report I’m getting on a daily basis is that those who are conducting the abductions, the killings, and so on are still not short of arms and ammunition.’’
Emphasizing on the need to deploy traditional support, Buhari called on traditional rulers to use resources within reach to assist the government in rooting out those whose sole objective is to stir troubles.
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