President Muhammadu Buhari led
federal government has banned the unauthorised acquisition of firearms, drones
and broadcast equipment.
This was disclosed on Thursday by
the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) during the
General Security Appraisal Committee Meeting at the Office of NSA (ONSA) in
Abuja.
Monguno stressed that the abuse
of social media platforms in addition to the illicit acquisition of controlled
items by none state actors have become the major source of insecurity in the
country.
“Members of the public are
sternly warned against illicit acquisition of controlled items such as
firearms, remotely piloted aircraft (Drones) and broadcast equipment amongst
others.
“Accordingly, those with such
illegally acquired controlled items are hereby advised to voluntarily surrender
them to the appropriate security agencies,” he said.
The NSA was flanked by the Chief
of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff (COAS),
Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS),
Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi and Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency (CDI), Air Vice
Marshal Mohammed Usman and other representatives of security agencies.
He cited the recent violence in
Benue, Plateau, Zamfara and Kaduna States as a worrying cases of insecurity
across the country fuelled by abuse of social medai platforms through fake
news, hate speech and incitement as well as illegal possession of controlled
items.
He said: “The Federal Government
is concerned that social media and other communication platforms are now used
to exacerbate tension through rumour, hate speech and incitement.
“Nigerians are reminded that all
laws and regulations against hate speech and incitement will be fully enforced
to ensure peace, security and freedom for all Nigerians wherever they chose to
live.
“In a bid to address these spates
of civil disturbances, heads of security agencies have reviewed the internal
security situation and resolved to take all necessary measures within the law
to curb this violence.”
The NSA added that while the
government acknowledged the fundamental rights of Nigerians to freedom of
expression and association, “it is imperative to note that deliberate acts
which directly or indirectly lead to wanton loss of lives and destruction of
properties constitute heinous crimes, which will not be tolerated and will be
appropriately dealt with in accordance to the law”.
He urged Nigerians to at all
times interrogate news and information before broadcasting or sharing with
others and consider if it is : factual, logical, promote national interest and
peaceful coexistence.
Speaking further, Monguno
reminded all traditional leaders, religious leaders, Non-Governmental
Organisations and citizens of their role in developing community led Early
Warning Systems at local levels.
In order to further ensure
security of persons and confidentiality of reports by citizens, he said that
ONSA has activated its Crisis Response Platform for anonymous reporting of
suspicious activities and security incidents.
He advised all citizens to send
anonymous reports through SMS to the short code that will be provided for early
response.
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