Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the foremost socio-cultural group in northern Nigeria has stated on Thursday that establishing regional tribal security forces such as South West security outfit ‘Operation Amotekun’ may affect Nigeria’s unity and cohesion.
In a statement by Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, it’s National Publicity Secretary, the body said: “ACF hereby cautions against establishing Regional Tribal Security Forces that may likely affect our unity and national cohesion”.
“The Nigerian constitution of 1999 as amended gives the Governor of a State the powers to direct a Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state with respect to maintenance and securing of public safety and order within the state, which the CP shall comply”.
“This constitutional provision, in addition to the logistics being provided by the State Government to the Nigeria Police Force, if properly utilized, will promote a good working relationship between the State Government and the Police Command to handle any security challenge”.
“It is, therefore, the considered opinion of ACF that the disadvantages of having a Regional Tribal Security outfit like Amotekun outweigh the advantages at this material time of our democratic experiment”.
Nwada Ugochinyere Onyechere reporting, Obinwannem News
