Bullets alone can’t stop banditry, other crimes –Jonathan

A former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has said that bullets and other forces of arms alone cannot stop armed robbery, banditry, and other forms of criminality in the country.

He said this on Sunday in Abuja at the 50th birthday reception of a former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka.

The event followed the thanksgiving and Communion service.

According to him, tackling crimes and criminology requires top-quality programmes of the government, technology, and other tactics. Jonathan, however, noted that the day Osita was born was the day armed robbers were first publicly shot in Nigeria.

Daily Trust reports that the first-ever public execution in Nigeria took place at Bar Beach in July 1971, when one Babatunde Folorunsho, was shot for armed robbery, alongside Joseph Ilobo and Williams Alders Oyazimo, a sub-lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy.

“The celebration of the 50th birthday of Osita shows that he is a special person. So, it is a happy moment for all of us. Osita Chidoka is a blessing to the nation and those close to him know him very well.

“I didn’t know him until when I got involved in politics and got to Abuja as a vice president and when I took over after I lost my Presidency. I have seen in him a lot of talents, and he is very strategic. He is somebody that really goes for a number of things. He is a gift to Anambra State, he is a gift to Nigeria and we wish him well.

He said that things are becoming more complex with the introduction of IT that is now ruling the world, thus need for collective action to stem the tide.