Fadahunsi, Gumi, Jingir Should Face Arrest Over Inciting Comments – Ex-CDS Irabor

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd.), has called for decisive action, including the arrest of politicians and other prominent Nigerians who make statements capable of inciting violence and threatening the peace of the country.

Irabor made the call against the backdrop of a controversial statement attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

Fadahunsi was captured in a viral video allegedly directing his supporters to kill members of the Accord Party and their family members. The comment sparked widespread condemnation and led to his invitation by the police for questioning.

The senator, however, denied making the statement in the manner presented, claiming that the video had been edited to distort the context of his remarks.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Irabor condemned the senator’s alleged comments and praised the police for inviting him for questioning.

“For me as a person, any time we hear individuals who make inciting comments, I think that such people should be picked up immediately, and that is why I am glad that even though the statement made by Senator Fadahunsi is a political one, but I think that it also borders on incitement to violence,” he said.

The former military chief argued that the senator should face further questioning, stressing that statements capable of provoking violence should not be treated lightly.

Irabor also called for action against Islamic clerics Sani Jingir and Ahmad Gumi over what he described as previous comments capable of inflaming tensions.

“Added to that is, of course, the Sheikh in Kano, Sheikh Jingir, who also made some comments which, of course, I believe is also inciting and could also add to the bouquet of threats that we have. He also should be arrested,” Irabor said.

He added that Gumi’s statements should similarly be investigated, insisting that nobody should be considered above the law.

According to Irabor, holding individuals accountable for inflammatory statements would also strengthen the confidence and morale of Nigeria’s defence and security personnel.

He further linked inflammatory political rhetoric to the deployment of troops during elections, arguing that such military involvement should not ordinarily be necessary in a democratic process.

Irabor said the use of language similar to that associated with Nigeria’s First Republic was particularly troubling, warning against repeating the mistakes of the past.

“It is something that is concerning to me and to all well-meaning Nigerians. This is not, of course, what we hope to see; this is not good enough,” he said.

He added that the military’s deployment under Operation Safe Conduct was primarily intended as a deterrent to prevent a deterioration of the security situation, rather than to interfere in the electoral process.

“I think that it is because of such languages that the military wouldn’t want to see a deterioration of the security situation to such a level that we may not be able to contain,” Irabor said.

According to him, the presence of troops should serve mainly as a deterrent and not mean that the military would necessarily become involved in the conduct of elections.