The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alhaji Abubakar Malami (SAN), heads of security forces and especially the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Adamu, to be careful so they don’t convey the express impression that the security of the lives and property of people outside Northern Nigeria is not sacrosanct and constitutionally guaranteed.

HURIWA reminded the Justice Minister and the IGP that Nigeria is a political entity based on the principle of democracy and social justice and therefore the security and wellbeing of all persons in Nigeria should be of primary priority of government.

The rights group affirmed that the subtle and sometimes open threats to antagonise, show open/hidden disapproval and boycotting of the security initiative, Amotekun, inaugurated by state governors and people of South West as displayed by heads of security establishments at the centre which synchronised with the opposition expressed by a section of Northern Youth Council, and the threats by the IGP to clampdown on the operatives of the newly established security platform is creating the impression that there are indeed a set of Nigerians whose security is not of topmost priority to the central government.

HURIWA said such hostile attitude to the setting up of the South West security initiative is unlawful, unconstitutional and an aberration.

The rights group also reminded the heads of security forces that they are not in public office to carry out only such instructions that exclusively favours a section of the country based on religious or ethnic considerations. It reminded President Muhammadu Buhari that the reason section 14(3) of the Nigerian constitution spells out adherence to Federal Character principle in all strategic appointments by the central government is to guard against this sort of ‘Northern agenda’ being exhibited by heads of security forces against the South West security initiative which the generality of the people of the region, including other non-Yoruba speaking citizens have welcomed with open hands.

“Those who are today heading security institutions of Nigeria at the behest of President Buhari must be sensitive and careful not to pass on the message that only the security of the lives of citizens living in the North of Nigeria are of priority to the current federal administration.

“For the fact that in such places as the North East, armed security forces have worked in partnership with the Civilian Joint Task Force (C-JTF) who are armed should have made it clear to those who are now opposing Amotekun that their blind opposition to this good security initiative is an affront to public good because Amotekun is for the public good of Nigeria.

“Why has the IGP not made any move to dismantle such unconstitutional contraption as the Hisbah police which directly offends section 214(1) of the Nigerian Constitution?”

HURIWA “wondered why section 214(1) is clear on the illegality of such a body like the Islamic police in Kano state and few other Northern states which also violates section 10 of the constitution on the illegality of elevating any religion as state religion, yet the IGP and the Federal Attorney General (both Northern Moslems) have failed to carry out their constitutional duty by disbanding the illegal Hisbah police but the South West security initiative which is to work lawfully with relevant authorities just like the CJTF in the North East is about to be sabotaged by northern-born security and Federal Attorney General due to selfish and regional reasons. This must never be allowed to happen. Never!”

The rights group also asked the South West governors to be resolute in driving the process of providing security to their people lawfully and proceed to International Court of Justice should the biased heads of security forces and the Attorney General of the Federation continue to kick against Amotekun or use subterranean means to undermine its integrity and workability.

Update news