Yerima faults action
From Isah Ibrahim, Gusau
WORRIED by what he considers a threat to the security of Zamfara State, Commissioner of Police, Mohammed J. Abubakar, has ordered the arrest of former governor of the state, Ahmed Sani Yerima.
This follows the crisis that erupted between the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in the state during the burial of the father of Alhaji Umaru Sambo, Speaker of the state House of Assembly.
The police chief disclosed that he had ordered Yerima's arrest to enable the state's former helmsman explain the role he played during the clash.
" We understand that Yerima is trying to be a threat to the security in the state, we will definitely arrest him to answer some questions", he said.
He said he would soon write to the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mike Okiro, for further action to be taken against Yerima.
"Let me tell you I have the respect of only his seat as senator not himself as a person", he said.
But Senator Yerima has described the allegation as untrue and intended to tarnish his reputation.
The former governor, who spoke through the ANPP state Publicity Secretary Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Birnin Magaji, said the crisis was an admission of failure on the part of police.
"The police in the state have flopped in their constitutional role of providing security to the people in the state. They are allowing thugs engaged by some top government officials to cause mayhem at various occasions, our boss Yerima, is expected to attend," he said.
He maintained that the former governor was a law-abiding citizen and an exemplary leader.
He also advised the police to go in search of the real masterminds of the crisis instead of chasing shadows.
Meanwhile, the Forum of Zamfara State Political Parties (ZFPP), has called on the IG to intensify effort to ensure security in the state in order to protect the lives and property of the citizens.
Addressing reporters yesterday in Gusau, the state co-ordinator of the forum, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shamba, described the recent hiring of thugs by some politicians as unfortunate.
He said in addition to intervention by all security operatives, the people of the state deserved to embark on special prayers for God's intervention so that innocent citizens would not be victims of political rivalry.
"The kind of politics going on in the state is disturbing. Our only hope and request is that security agencies must work hard without fear or favour before its goes beyond their control," he said.
The co-ordinator therefore condemned the attitude of politicians who are engaging youths to become their political thugs instead of encouraging them to pursue their education for the progress of the state and the nation.
Shamba revealed that plans were underway by the forum to organise a peace forum where all stakeholders would be invited to share ideas on how to ban politics of violence among the political parties in the state.
