By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
A Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, has ordered the Director General, State Security Service, Director-General, National Intelligent Agency and Inspector General of Police to probe the activities of Kogi State Special Task Force on Illegal Smuggling of Firearms.
The court ordered the Director General of SSS and the National Security Adviser to investigate and retrieve all firearms and ammunitions in possession of the Special Task Force.
Justice J.K. Omotosho, in an order of perpetual injunction, restrained Governor Yahaya Bello from controlling or attempting to regulate the possession of or dealing in firearms in the state.
Justice Omotosho gave the order on October 5 in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/697/2 filed by Hon. Ahmadu Danjuma against the Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Friday Sani Makama, the Director General, State Security Service, the Director-General, National Intelligent Agency, the Inspector General of Police and the National Security Adviser.
In a certified true copy of the order dated October 13, 2023 and obtained by newsmen on Tuesday, the court set aside the appointment of Mr. Friday Sani Makama as Director General of the Special Task Force on Illegal Smuggling of Firearms in Kogi state by Governor Yahaya Bello.
The court ruled that the Governor of Kogi State did not possess the authority to unilaterally regulate or control the possession and dealing in firearms within the state, saying the proper agencies responsible for regulating firearms in Kogi State and Nigeria are the Director General of the State Security Service, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, and the Inspector General of Police, under the guidance of the National Security Adviser.
It, therefore, declared the appointment of Makama by Governor Bello as Director General of the Special Task Force on Illegal Smuggling of Firearms to Kogi State as “illegal, null and void” as the appointment was deemed not only unlawful but also a potential threat to the safety and security of Kogi State.
