Gen. Bamaiyi tasks governors to discharge their civic responsibilities

From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

The Chief of Army Staff in the late General Sani Abacha’s administration, General Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), has called on governors, who serve as chief security officers of their respective states, to be extra-vigilant when discharging their official responsibilities.

He made this call in his country home while fielding questions from newsmen recently, lamenting that it is unfortunate that governors, officers would resort to traveling abroad and spending weeks without knowing the security situations in their states.

“We should go back to the grassroots and find out who were the actual people perpetrating this violence; we are all human beings, not spirits, we should stop killing innocent souls,’’ he added.

The general, therefore, expressed dismay over the insecurity of the country, describing it as unfortunate, condemning the governments and politicians for allowing it to escalate to this level while he urged for an emergency intervention towards curtailing it.

Bamaiyi further explained that the three states’ emergency rule affected have failed to stop the insurgents for operating in their states, saying “the federal government should suspend them so that the military will take full responsibility of restoring law and order in the affected states.

‘’Imposing state of emergency in the affected states suggests that the governors have failed and as such, they should give way for full emergency rule in the areas’’ he stated.

He then called on the Nigerians, especially parents, to be vigilant and to also caution their children.