Insecurity: Sharia council seeks more powers for governors

The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN) has called for the review of the Nigerian constitution to grant more powers to state governors in controlling the security affairs in their states.

The council in a communique issued Thursday at the end of its annual conference urged the federal government to do all it takes within the ambit of the law to bring an end to the prevailing insecurity situation in the country.

The communique, which was jointly signed by its President, Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullah, and Secretary General, Malam Nafi’u Baba Ahmed, noted that through improved and effective intelligence gathering and deployment of strong offensive against all flash points of security threats Nigeria would rein in on current security lapses in the country.

“We also need the promotion of community-oriented policing and fostering genuine trust between security forces and local communities. Additionally, a constitutional review is recommended to enable state governors to perform more effectively their statutory roles as Chief Security Officers of their States,” it noted.

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The conference which condemned absolutely the sustained killings, maiming and attacks on innocent souls across the country called on the “government to launch a full-scale investigation and prosecution of those arrested on all cases leading to the killings around the country especially those arrested for killing of General Alkali in Plateau state, the attack on worshippers in the church in Jos, the killing of 11 Fulani herders arrested by the military in southern Kaduna and all others in different parts of the country.”

While stating that the government needs to promote dialogue and reconciliation among the citizens to enhance effective communication between warring communities, it condemned the kidnapping of children in the Northern part of the country.

The communique read in part: “We condemn the heinous acts of child abduction and any form of violence against children, and particularly criminally relocating them and changing their religion and identity, which is a blatant violation of their rights. We thus call upon relevant law enforcement agencies to collaborate effectively in investigating these abductions, identifying and apprehending the perpetrators responsible for these criminal acts and ensuring that they face the full force of the law.”

While saying that the government should expedite action in implementing programmes that will empower communities economically and socially, it commended the Nigerian government for resisting external pressures to recognise LGBTQAI+.

“The Nigerian government should maintain a principled stand in condemning the ongoing Israeli genocide on Palestinians and consider severing diplomatic ties with Israel. By taking a strong stance against this violation of human rights, Nigeria has the opportunity to stand on the side of justice and promote a just and lasting solution to the conflict,”  it further said.

Meanwhile, members of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN) yesterday met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting came about 48 hours after the President of SCSN, Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyyatullah, expressed regrets for supporting the Tinubu-Shettima same-faith ticket last year.

Speaking after the meeting, the Vice President of the council, Dr Bashir Umar said the group paid a courtesy call on the President to show solidarity and commended him on the decisions he has been taking on behalf of the country.

He also said that the council requested that the president expedite action to cushion the effects of the hard economic decisions and tackle insecurity headlong so as to achieve food security.

Dr. Umar disclosed that the council also submitted the communiqué of its just concluded conference which reviewed the 2023 elections to the president.

He said President Tinubu gave assurances and mage encouraging remarks by calling for more prayers for the peace and security as well as the development of the country.