In a bid to douse the increasing national security tension in Nigeria, following altercations between the Northern Islamic terrorist sect, Boko Haram and the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) on retaliatory attacks, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has sued for calm among those seeking to take justices into their hands.
He observed that retaliation could throw the country into religious war, emphasizing that it should not be a case of “an eye for eye.”
Uduaghan made the call today, Wednesday April 17, 2013 during an “executive phone-in program” aired live on the television and radio arms of the Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri.
In particular, he urged those behind the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) who threatened retaliation against Moslem interests to sheath their swords, reiterating, “We should not escalate the situation, the President is on top of the situation and everything will normalise soon.”
He emphasized that security issues are complex, advising that people should be cautious so that they won’t jeopardize the efforts being made by President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that there was peace and mutual understanding in the country.
Governor Uduaghan also threw light on his recent frequent visit to Warri, disclosing that it was to boost the security situation of the oil-rich city and ensure the day to day monitoring of projects being executed in Warri and its environs.
“Today, we are ranked 4th among oil producing states in the country,” the Governor said, a situation he linked to security issues which he said must be tackled by his administration, reiterating that Government House remains in Asaba and that he has not relocated to Warri.
He charged those who are engaged in criminal activities to take to meaningful and acceptable ventures, stating, “Criminality in any form is not justifiable.”
On the issue of death penalty for kidnappers which he has not signed into law, the Governor noted that death penalty has not stopped criminal activities in any part of the world, adding, “Worldwide, people are moving away from death penalty.”
He also, advocated for a law to empower judges who sentence criminals to death to be empowered to sign death warrants.
