Moses Ofodeme
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, have advocated for the establishment of special courts to try bandits, kidnappers and carriers of unlawful weapons in Nigeria.
The elder statesmen made this known through a joint communique issued after they held a closed-door meeting at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, on Sunday, April 4.
In the 21-point communique they also urged the Federal Government to take the issue of insecurity up with the Economic Community of West African States.
They also recommended that whistleblowers against insecurity must be protected and rewarded.
The statement stated, “Federal Government should take the issue up seriously within ECOWAS to work for a regional solution.
“Every community must be encouraged and empowered to stand firm and strong against criminals.
“There should be protection and reward covertly for whistleblowers against criminals living in the community.
“Special courts should be created to deal promptly with cases of banditry; kidnapping; ransom demanding; and unlawful carrying of weapons.
“Let the slogan be: Security is the responsibility of all Nigerians.
“We agree to continue to work together for solutions for the security of Nigeria; and to seek others to join us as we widely circulate our joint statement.”