Traditional rulers in the country who are apparently worried by the increasing spate of insurgency and other violent crimes in the country, have made a passionate plea for the introduction of military training as part of the curriculum for the National Youths Service Scheme.
Making the demand are members of National Association of Royal Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NARTN) who rose from their meeting in Abuja with a call on the federal government to approve the introduction of military training for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to enable them complement the efforts of the Army, Police and other security agencies in the fight.
“What we are saying is, let them be given military training so as to complement the efforts of police, army, civil defence and other security agencies. Let us say the truth, we are not enough. They should give the Youth Corpers military training so that they can perform”, he said.
Presenting the communiqué issued by the association after its 99thNational Conference in Abuja Wednesday ,National President of NARTN, His Royal Highness, Eze Thomas Obiefule , also picked holes in the Constitution of the country which he said only give s pat on the back to insurgents who kill tens of people but only get jail terms if convicted.
The royal fathers therefore called on the National Assembly to amend the Constitution so as to make it a death penalty for crimes like terrorism, even as they demanded that the amendment should also make it mandatory for such cases to be decided within three months.
“The nation’s Constitution is not helping the country in the fight against insurgency; for instance, if someone uses explosives to wreak havoc, killing so many people, he the killer will only bag a life imprisonment if convicted. This is the most unfair and unfortunate.
“Therefore we want to urge the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to carry death penalty. Cases involving terrorists should not exceed three months for judgment to be delivered as it is the case in other countries. Special courts should be put in place to handle cases of terrorism for quick dispensation of justice.”
On the issue of President Muhammed Buhari forming his cabinet, the NARTN meeting with over 180 members in attendance backed the President in his decision not to rush the formation of his cabinet so as to avoid making costly mistakes. They therefore advised Nigerians to be patient with the government so as to take decisions that will be in the overall interest of the entire country.
The communiqué also advised the federal government to take another look at the vexed issue of removing the fuel subsidy as that will put an end to the continuous sufferings of Nigerians on the account of the scarcity of fuel. They further argued that the removal will among other things create healthy competition as well as end the endemic corruption in the sector
The royal fathers also slammed the operations of the pirate radio station, Radio Biafra, which was recently clamped down on, by the Federal Government. According to Eze Obiefule,” I warn Nigerians again, in this Federal Republic of Nigeria, there can not be any other Republic. Anybody saying Biafra or Radio Biafra, traditional rulers of this Association condemn it in totality”.
