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Crime Watch: Matawalle – Okowa differ on how citizens should defend themselves against criminals

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The Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Bello Matawalle and his Delta State Counterpart, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa have disagreed on how best Nigerian citizens should defend themselves against criminals in the country.

While Zamfara has become a hotbed for kidnappers, bandits, cattle rustlers, terrorists and others, Delta is also rife with the issue of kidnapping, armed robbery, insurrection among others.

Matawalle has advocated the need for citizens to take up arms and defend themselves, but Okowa said his Zamfara counterpart spoke out of understandable frustration.

Okowa faulted an initial proposition by Matawalle that state residents should bear firearms to defend themselves from terrorists.

The Governor spoke to journalists on Thursday evening shortly after he met Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in his office at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Okowa faulted the idea by Matawalle, saying his idea came out of frustration, and that it would have telling consequences for the overall security of the region.

“I think they need critical thinking because you have to also be in a position to examine the recommendations being made. When recommendations are made and you have not thought through it in full about the consequences of such, then it is also a problem.

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“It is out of frustration that such recommendations are being made, not doubt. But when you ask everybody to carry guns, you must ask yourself, are Nigerians in the mindset where every single individual can carry his own gun? You will be surprised that with every little argument people will just snuff themselves out.

“It’s a cause for concern when we hear that kind of recommendation. But the real thing is people are frustrated and he (Governor Matawalle) is also frustrated to the extent that he thinks that is the way to go. I don’t think that is the best recommendation at the moment,” he said.

“I think we need to begin to look into many other things. Yes, as a quick one, he’s calling for that. But there will be consequences. But we need a long-term approach to deal with insecurity. We need to look at the foundation of the problems that we have. A lot of hunger, joblessness, a lot of people are losing hope. And when you look at all these issues, it brings a lot of frustration. So, we have to address it holistically,” he said.

On the July 16th Osun governorship election, the PDP Vice Presidential candidate assured that his Party is prepared to take back the governorship seat.

“A lot is being done. We look forward to the elections. I’m sure the APC would expect a stiff competition. We agree that they are the government in power in that state but they will be definitely expecting a very stiff competition from us. We are poised to take back that state,” Okowa firmly noted.