Ex-CDS Irabor Demands Arrest of Fadahunsi, Jingir, Gumi

Irabor maintained that decisive action against inflammatory statements would help send a strong message that Nigerians must be held accountable for words capable of provoking violence.

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd.), has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of politicians, clerics and other Nigerians who make statements capable of inciting violence.

Irabor made the call on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television, against the backdrop of recent controversial remarks by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East.

Fadahunsi was recently captured in a viral video allegedly urging his supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of the Osun State governorship election.

Reacting to the development, the former Defence Chief said the police had taken the right step by inviting the senator for questioning, but stressed that the matter should go beyond mere invitation.

“For me as a person, any time we hear individuals making inciting comments, I think that such people should be picked up immediately,” Irabor said.

He described Fadahunsi’s remarks as political but noted that they also bordered on incitement to violence, urging the authorities to take decisive action.

“I think the police have done the right thing by inviting him, and he should be questioned even beyond that,” he added.

Irabor also called for the arrest of Islamic clerics Sheikh Sani Jingir and Ahmad Gumi over what he described as previous inciting comments capable of worsening security challenges in the country.

According to him, Jingir’s remarks should be investigated, while Gumi should also be invited and, where necessary, arrested.

“Added to that is, of course, the Sheikh in Kano, Sheikh Jingir, who also made some comments which I believe are also inciting. That could also add to the bouquet of threats that we have,” he said.

He added that Gumi’s repeated comments also warranted official intervention, stressing that no individual should be considered above the law.

Irabor maintained that decisive action against inflammatory statements would help send a strong message that Nigerians must be held accountable for words capable of provoking violence.

“There is nobody who is above the law, and when you say things that are not right, you should be called in to answer,” the former service chief said.