Fulani herdsmen, which is currently generating controversial reactions
across geo-poilitcal zones of the country.
RUGA is a Fulani word for (human) settlement, yet the same word is being
bandied about as an acronym for Rural Grazing Area.
Intersociety made its position known in a statement in Onitsha, Anambra
state on Sunday.
The statement was signed by Lawyers Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Head of Civil
Liberties & Rule of Law Program, Chinwe Umeche, Head of Democracy & Good
Governance Program, Evangaline Chidinma Udegbunam, Head of Campaign &
Publicity Dept and Emeka Umeagbalasi, a Criminologist & Graduate of
Security Studies and Board Chair of Intersociety.
Some Nigerian personalities including the former President Olusegun
Obasanjo in a letter to the presidency recently called on the Federal
Government to take urgent steps to rekindle Nigerians’ hope on
governance by addressing the on-going insecurity challenges in the
country.
Intersociety stated that the fundamental human rights of Nigerians to
move freely across the country or part of it, assembly themselves or
with others and form or belong to associations in the country as
contained in Sections 41 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution and the
Nigeria’s Int’l Treaty Rights Laws are strictly not for violent persons
and entities or violent ethno-religious groups.
It added that such rights, contrary to the Nigerian Presidency’s recent
lies and misinformation, are provided for or meant for peaceful
Nigerians as well as for peaceful purposes.
It stated also that the Federal Republic of Nigeria was also legally
founded on the Principles of Justice, Equality and Peace; with the word
‘Peace’ being the primus inter pares.
“That is to say that by letter and spirit, peace is the grand benchmark
for exercise and enjoyment of the constitutional human rights to freedom
of movement, assembly and association.
“Any person or group of persons or members of ethnic or religious group
that uses or use violence as a trademark, instantly loses or lose such
rights in the country or any part thereof.
“The 1999 constitutional provisions are also unambiguous with respect
to nationality or citizenship, as the three rights under reference are
strictly for Nigerians.
“Nigerians are reminded again of their Constitutional Right to Life,
strengthened by self defense provisions contained in Sections 258 of the
Nigeria’s Criminal Code, applicable in Southern Nigeria and Section 60
of the Penal Code, applicable in Northern Nigeria.
“The citizens’ right to self defense is generally defined as
“justifiable when the actor believes that such force is immediately
necessary for the purpose of protecting himself against the use of
unlawful force by such other person on the present occasion.” It added