Group Wants Separatist Agitators Prosecuted
BY JONATHAN IPAA, ABUJA – A group on the aegis of Patriotic Movement of Nigeria (PMN) has urged the Federal Government to as a matter of national concern initiate the prosecution of all criminal elements that constitute themselves into agents of secession, destabilization and dismemberment of Nigeria.
It said that the Nigerian constitution has an in-built robust procedure for amendment through alterations and therefore advised that the constitutional processes should be adhered to for whatever changes that are being demanded on the political structure or restructuring of the nation state.
PMN in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja said, said that the agitation for restructuring must not go with all manners of criminalities including the taking of precious lives of other citizens.
The statement which was signed by its spokesman, Alhaji Bello Abbdulkadir, further warned that no group has any reasons to take arms against the state and people of Nigeria and therefore called on the government to act decisively against all criminals killing, maiming and kidnapping Nigerians for whatever reasons.
PMN further said; “Work assiduously to secure the lives and properties of all and every Nigerian in whatever part or section of the nation he may reside”.
The group also suggested the re-introduction of extensive history and civic education in all secondary schools across the federation with the aim of countering the many false and misguided literature circulated freely and dangerously among the citizens.
It also wants the government to dissuade socio-cultural organizations from participating in politics while encouraging political parties to take more active roles in debates about the common destiny of the nation state.
PMN however admitted that there are national challenges being faced by the All Progressive Congress, (APC)-led Federal Government, adding that government everywhere is responsible for the protection of lives and properties of its citizens as well as the provision of adequate security.
The PMN statement further said; “In recent years, it is obvious that the government of the day and previous ones have failed to deal decisively with criminal elements in the society who engaged in one form of crime or the other.
“This has led to a situation where some petty criminals have grown into full monsters threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria ranging from secessionist IPOB in the East, to banditry and kidnappings in the North and rouge vigilantes in the South West.”
The Patriotic Movement of Nigeria commended the Federal Government on the recent interception, arrest and extradition of the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and the effort to bring the secessionist leader Sunday Igboho to book.
