Zamfara State Governor Muhammad Bello Matawalle lacks powers to instruct police commissioner to issue gun licences to civilians in the state, the Chief oF Defence Staff General LEO Irabor has said.
“If what I read is true, I do not also think that the governor has the power to instruct the commissioner of police to issue licences, because the commissioner of police does not have the power to issue licences,” the defence chief said in Abuja on Monday.
At the weekend, Governor Matawalle had issued a directive asking residents of the state to take up arms against bandits.
This is due to the endless cases of kidnappings, killing and maiming of communities across the state by rampaging bandits.
Matawalle also directed the state police command to issue gun licences to all who qualify and are willing to obtain firearms to defend themselves.
General Irabor spoke to journalists at the opening of the joint exercise for the National Defence College and war colleges of the armed forces of Nigeria, code named ‘Exercise Grand Nationale’, in Abuja.
He said the governor’s directive will raise issues around the provisions of the constitution.
“I believe that, in my view, it is not the right way to go,” the general said.
Mr Irabor said, “Of course, there are actions that members of the security agencies and the armed forces, in particular, the police and other security agencies are doing to address insecurity in Zamfara and environs.
“Beyond that, of course, there are other legal issues, other issues of governance, issues that the government could have addressed using the instrumentality of the law that are available for him to bring greater peace and security.
“But like I said, I do not intend to say much about it, but I believe that the federal government, using the attorney-general, will look at the details of that press release and give further instruction.
Irabor also said the armed forces are doing their best to address insecurity in the country, in line with the provisions of the constitution.
“I believe that what we are doing in Zamfara and, of course, across the states of the federation, is in deference to the provisions of the constitution,” he said.
