ONSA Bans Unauthorised Use of
ONSA Bans Unauthorised Use of Drones, Broadcast
Equipment
•Toughens stands against abuse of social media
•Says fundemental human rights dont guarantee incitement, hate
speech
•Activates crisis communication platforms
The Federal Government has as part of broad measures to stem the
tide of insecurity in the country, banned the unauthorised
acquisition of firearms, drones and broadcast equipment.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the National Security Adviser
(NSA), Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) during the General Security
Appraisal Committee Meeting at the Office of NSA (ONSA) in
Abuja.
Monguno stressed that the abuse of social media platforms in
addition to the illicit acquisition of controlled items by none
state actors have become the major source of insecurity in the
country.
To this end, he warned those already in possession of these
unauthorised items to surrender them to the appropriate authorities
in order to avoid the full wrath the law.
“…members of the public are sternly warned against illicit
acquisition of controlled items such as firearms, remotely piloted
aircraft (Drones) and broadcast equipment amongst others.
Accordingly, those with such illegally acquired controlled items
are hereby advised to voluntarily surrender them to the appropriate
security agencies,” he said.
The NSA was flanked by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen.
Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur
Buratai, Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS),
Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi and Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency
(CDI), Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman and other representatives of
security agencies.
He cited the recent violence in Benue, Plateau, Zamfara and
Kaduna States as a worrying cases of insecurity across the country
fuelled by abuse of social medai platforms through fake news, hate
speech and incitement as well as illegal possession of controlled
items.
Against this backdrop, Monguno said that Federal Government is
taking all necessary measures to address the underlying
unresolved conflicts and bring all perpetrators to justice.
He said: “The Federal Government is concerned that social media
and other communication platforms are now used to exacerbate
tension through rumour, hate speech and incitement. Nigerians are
reminded that all laws and regulations against hate speech and
incitement will be fully enforced to ensure peace, security and
freedom for all Nigerians wherever they chose to live.
“In a bid to address these spates of civil disturbances, heads
of security agencies have reviewed the internal security situation
and resolved to take all necessary measures within the law to curb
this violence.”
The NSA stressed that while the government acknowledged the
fundamental rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression and
association, “it is imperative to note that deliberate acts which
directly or indirectly lead to wanton loss of lives and destruction
of properties constitute heinous crimes, which will not be
tolerated and will be appropriately dealt with in accordance to the
law”.
He urged Nigerians to at all times interrogate news and
information before broadcasting or sharing with others and consider
if it is : factual, logical, promote national interest and peaceful
coexistence.
Speaking further, Monguno reminded all traditional leaders,
religious leaders, Non-Governmental Organisations and citizens of
their role in developing community led Early Warning Systems at
local levels.
In order to further ensure security of persons and
confidentiality of reports by citizens, he said that ONSA has
activated its Crisis Response Platform for anonymous reporting of
suspicious activities and security incidents.
He advised all citizens to send anonymous reports through SMS to
the short code that will be provided for early response.
By PRNigeria
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