Centre warns against unregistered CSOs

Centre warns against unregistered CSOs
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
CSOs
Abuja, June 11, 2018 (NAN The Executive Director, Citizen Communication and Advocacy Centre , Mr Charles Ibiang, has called on Nigerians to be wary of unregistered civil society groups claiming to be promoters of democracy.
Ibiang cautioned during a media briefing on Monday in Abuja that the unregistered groups could be sponsored and used as agents of destruction.
He said they are usually used to orchestrate falsehood, lies, and propaganda against a state or society, saying that Nigerians should not listen to them or their falsehood.
“Recently, as you are aware, the peaceful town of Offa in Kwara State was greeted by group of dare devil robbers for a bank robbery and carnage, leaving behind its trail unfortunate deaths of Offa citizens and officers of the Nigerian Police.
“The centre condemns in the strongest terms this unfortunate incident by these sons of the devil; it is ungodly, satanic and sheer wickedness.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences and commiserate with the families who lost their loved ones, the people of Offa and Kwara State,’’ he said.
Ibiang however called on security agencies and judiciary to ensure that the culprits were severely punished or prosecuted according to the laws.
He commended the police for the speedy arrest of the culprits, adding that rapid response be extended to other cases pervasive in the country.
“We are concern that the integrity of Nigerian Senate President and entire institution of the National Assembly would be tarnished and reduced to rubbles on unsubstantiated allegation of sponsoring or aiding robbers and murderers.
“The centre considered this very mundane, petty and the lowest we could degenerate as people capable of portraying us badly before the international community.
“We condemn this recent pastime of the police in fighting serious crime in our country troubling, where security operatives will attempt to frame up highly place public officers using hardened criminals,’’ he said.
Ibiang said such criminals should be given sanction by the appropriate or regulating institutions.
He said the centre warns that linking the President of the Senate to the Offa Bank robbery by the police portend a great danger to our democracy and threat to foreign investors confidence in doing business in Nigeria and with Nigerians.
“No foreign investor will want his money to be kept in a country where some of her highest ranking public servants aid bank robbery.
“This is too much to bear for our country considering also our battered image abroad.
“Citizens must insist that fairness; justice must be seen to be done not vendetta or vengeance.’’
Ibiang advised the Inspector General of Police to be professional and unbiased in handling the issues in Offa bank robbery.
He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari not to remain aloof or being seen protecting anybody but wade into the issue because it is capable of derailing the country’s democracy. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola