Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The Aminchi Centre for Social Advocacy and Community Development Initiative has rejected the 14 day ultimatum issued by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) to the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), demanding an end to killings in Sokoto State or his resignation.
The Centre described the ultimatum as “misplaced, constitutionally flawed”, arguing that it oversimplifies a complex national security crisis by placing responsibility on one individual.
In a rejoinder signed by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ibrahim Abdullahi Shuni, the organisation said Nigerians were justified in demanding accountability over killings, kidnappings and insecurity, but such demands must recognise Nigeria’s constitutional and institutional security structure.
It explained that the Defence Minister is responsible for policy direction, oversight, resource mobilisation, procurement, administration and strategic coordination, but “is not the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.”
According to the Centre, the 1999 Constitution vests the President, as Commander in Chief, with authority over the operational deployment of the Armed Forces, making it misleading to portray the Defence Minister as the sole authority responsible for military operations or security incidents.
The organisation said the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping requires coordinated efforts by the Presidency, Armed Forces, police, intelligence agencies, state and local governments, traditional institutions, religious leaders, communities and citizens.
It therefore challenged MURIC to complement its criticism with practical contributions, asking the organisation to disclose intelligence it had supplied, criminal networks it had helped expose and communities it had mobilised for early-warning systems.
“National security cannot be reduced to press releases,” the Centre declared, insisting that organisations demanding accountability from government should also demonstrate what they are doing to help resolve the crisis.
The Centre further questioned why MURIC singled out the Defence Minister when several institutions and levels of government are involved in Nigeria’s security architecture.
It asked why similar demands had not been directed at the President and Commander in Chief, Service Chiefs, police and intelligence agencies, as well as the Sokoto State Government, local governments, traditional rulers and community leaders.
The organisation warned that reducing a national security emergency to a demand for one minister’s resignation could turn a grave security challenge into a “political or personality contest.”
However, the Centre stressed that its position should not be interpreted as opposition to accountability, maintaining that the Defence Minister, Armed Forces and other security agencies must answer for responsibilities legally assigned to them.
It argued that accountability must be based on law, facts, institutional responsibilities and measurable performance rather than an “arbitrary 14 day deadline.”
It also rejected the expectation that Sokoto could become completely impregnable within such a short period.
Instead, it said security performance should be assessed through improved intelligence gathering, prevention of attacks, dismantling of criminal networks, rescue of victims, protection of vulnerable communities, prosecution of offenders and stronger inter-agency coordination.
The Centre urged MURIC and other civil society organisations to pursue constructive engagement with security agencies while supporting community intelligence networks, early-warning mechanisms, victims of violence and programmes against radicalisation and violent extremism.
It also called for stronger citizen participation, noting that criminals often rely on local informants, financiers, safe havens and support networks to sustain their operations.
While describing Gen. Musa as “a son of the soil of the Seat of the Caliphate” who understands the suffering of the people, the Centre said he must nevertheless be judged objectively on his legal responsibilities, available resources and measurable security outcomes.
The organisation concluded that MURIC had the right to demand government action but “is not constitutionally empowered to determine the tenure of a Federal Minister,” stressing that the appointment or removal of ministers remains the President’s constitutional prerogative.
It condemned the killings across Sokoto and Nigeria and urged all stakeholders to focus not merely on “who should we blame?” but on “what can each of us do to help Nigeria defeat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent crime?”
