The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has described the Federal Government’s move to revoke firearm license from responsible Nigerians as not only a recipe for disaster but a time bomb waiting to explode.

He condemned the idea of appeasing the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, also known Fulani herdsmen, with a huge sum of N100 billion as well as issuance of a radio licence.

Bishop Ezeokafor, who bared his mind while speaking on the state of the nation at St. Patrick's Catholic Cathedral, Awka said that such move could amount to empowerment of the herdsmen to unleash more terror on Nigerians.

He said: “The next thing is to procure more sophisticated equipment. Also, if it is true that the government had acquired license for the Fulani to operate a radio station which would be broadcasting on Fulfulde, it could be disastrous because in order words, they will communicate themselves in a language only them understand. No other people will know what is going on.

“You begin to ask yourself, why this priority to Fulani and herdsmen? There was a time we were told to give them lands to keep their cattle and goods. You know definitely that cattle are private business. You don’t allow your goats or anything to destroy another people business. But when it comes to this issue of cattle, there is always sympathy and efforts to give them the best or special offer, which is not helping us. I don’t know but if that is true, it is very dangerous.

“Why is the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) being treated as terrorists, and considered big threats to the unity of Nigeria while herdsmen still go about without fear?

“What is the rationale behind the Federal Government's call for prayers for the marauding herdsmen and their sponsors?”

The cleric said that though he does not subscribe to the method adopted by IPOB and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the fact remains that there is no smoke without fire.

Ezeokafor expressed the need for the Federal Government to understudy the issues leading to the agitation in some quarters and proffer a solution to it rather than sweeping them under the carpet.

While insisting that dialogue is the only remedy to any situation that could lead to crisis, Ibezim wondered why IPOB should be crushed while the Fulani walk freely.

He said: “IPOB don’t even have a gun or big sticks. Again, we heard that the federal government has revoked the license and banished use of fire arms, shotguns certificates and all that. What it means is that responsible people will be completely disarmed. And criminals and rascals will be in control of these equipment and sophisticated weapons.

“I think there is law of self-defense in this country. You know what can happen when responsible people are denied their rights to self-defense. You know that is why one man will come to the market and succeed in conquering everyone with help of his gun.

“I am feeling uncomfortable with this and I think as a Nigerian, government should think twice and consider the decision otherwise they will provide security to all of us. I need security too even though I know that the highest security is from God. We need society where men are disciplined and well treated with fear of God. You know criminals thrive around us because of no discipline. In a developed country like Europe and others, people are disciplined and they do things according to law.

“Some time ago, it was said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo wants to divide Nigeria. But if you look at what he said, he talked as an elder; someone who has seen yesterday, today and foresee tomorrow. General Theophilus Danjuma said the same thing sometime ago, even Prof. Wole Soyinka corroborated Obasanjo. We should think twice. They are only advising us to do things rightly. These are men who have seen something and want us to have a rethink. Nigeria should learn from history of Rwanda.

“The government should know that this country is a secular state. By the way, we have two major religions, Christianity and Islam. And God in his own arrangement made it that the northern part of the country is dominated by the Islam, while South is populated by Christianity. I think each tribe must respect the other. Every wise person must respect another. There is still much room for an improvement by government.”

The Bishop harped on the need for the President to give proper attention to the Niger Delta and Southeastern Nigeria, describing Niger Delta as the goose that lays the golden egg.

While urging government to recognise the rights of all Nigerians saying it should not stand on the side of one ethnic or religious group alone, the prelate harped on the need for the creation of state police and cattle ranch.

Ezeokafor called on the government to go for restructuring noting that only that would give every part of the country equal opportunity to develop their resources.

Bishop Ezeokafor enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari who assumed office for a second term yesterday to be magnanimous in victory by treating all parts of the country as one even as he commended the federal government for what it has done so far.

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