By Uche Mbah
Southern and middle belt leaders are are worried about the upsurge of imported weaponized drones meant for Kaduna state under controversial circumstances that appears to justify the establishment of Amotekun and other outfits across the country.
The South west had established a regional security outfit under controversial circumstances. The Presidency had fretted over the outfit initially until the approval came when President Buhari travelled to London, and South west leaders met with Vice president Yemi Osinbajo who approved the outfit and expected them to complete the necessary legal framework for the outfit. Since then, there has been a flurry of activities in the South and middle belt, with the South east writing the Federal government for approval to establish their own.
Recently, a Northern group established announced the establishment of their own outfit, which they called Shege Ka Fasa, or I Dare You. The People of Southern Kaduna, who are at the receiving end of the violence in the state, are already muting the formation of their own outfit. The same with the middle belt.
Northern leaders were not part of the launch of Shege Ka Fasa.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) recently raised alarm over the importation of Weaponized drone int the Country.
In report titled, “Weaponised Drone Intercepted by Military Intelligence at Lagos Airport as Commander Receives Order To Release Suspect,” the group indicted a personnel of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
“The incident occurred on January 28, 2020, at 5:00 pm, while DMI officers at the cargo section discovered a suspicious package concealed in cartons,” the statement said. “When the cartons were opened, the officers discovered parts of two highly weaponized drones and the supervisor told the man that brought it into the country to report the following day.
“Investigation revealed that the man was asked to write a statement after which he was detained and upon interrogation at the NADC, Ikeja, the suspect claimed he was working for the Kaduna State Government. Air Commodore U. K. Abdullahi received a call from unknown persons, who ordered him to release the suspect and the drones.”
The statements were issued by Yinka Odumakin (South West), Gen. C.R.U. Ihekire (South East), Bassey Henshaw (South-South) and Dr. Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt). They noted that weaponized drones must have been smuggled into the country with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“How did the equipment get into the country and found its way into the hands of an individual if the story happens to be true? Whose call did Abdullahi receive after which he released the suspect and the weapons?
“How many such weapons could have been brought into the country illegally by unscrupulous persons with the intent to endanger the lives of Nigerians?” They querried.
Based on this, they called for the suspension of Commodore Abdullahi who should be kept under surveillance. according to them, government should set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry immediately.
