FG Orders State To Stop Registration of Non- Indigenes

Posted by African Examiner Breaking News, Featured, Latest Headlines Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014

Jacob Oyewale. Abuja

The Federal Government has directed state governments, who have been registering and deporting some Nigerians from their states in enforce to stop Boko Haram attack to stop the illegal action.

He noted all Nigerians by provision of 1999 constitution were free to settle down in any part of the country that they so desire.

This decision was reached at the National Security Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Abuja.

The Director General of the Department of State Security, Ita Ekpeyong who briefed the journalists after the meeting, said security agents has been directed not to be involved in such unlawful activities, as severe punishment await defaulters.

Ekpeyong said, “The council discussed in details the issue of registration of Nigerians in any part of the country, being subjected to registration, being subjected to deportation, being taken away from one part of the country to the other. The council discussed the reaction of some groups in Kano State and other parts of the country and observed that this threat was more potent than Boko Haram and could disintegrate the country.

“And we take this very seriously, for people to deport people, for people to take people from one place to the other, for registration of indigenes no matter where they are. No matter where they are, they are free to settle anywhere they like

“The council resolved that the issue of registration of Nigerians anywhere in the country and deportation should stop forthwith. To re-emphasis the importance the President has attached to this, he asked the IG and I to address the press. This must stop forthwith.

“Security operatives should not be involved in anybody trying to register people and anybody trying to deport people. Security operatives must henceforth not be involved. If the policemen, SSS officials are found to be involved, they will be severely dealt it.”

African examiner correspondent in Abuja gathered a meeting of the Council of State would be held next week to discuss the issue.

All the service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Muhammad Abubakar; Director General of the Department of State Security, Ita Ekpeyong; Minister of Interior, Abba Moro; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aminu Wali; and the Minister of Police Affairs, Abduljelili Adesiyan attended the meeting.