Enugu State House of Assembly has explained that the State Internal Security and Vigilance bill before the House was not targeted at traditional medicine practitioners nor genuine religious bodies in the state.
According to the House, the Executive bill is aimed at checking the activities of those who hide under the cloak of traditional or Christian religion to commit crimes. The Joint Committee chairman on Youths and Judiciary, Hon. Raymond Ugwu, gave the clarification on Tuesday in Enugu during a public hearing on the Bill.
While stressing that the bill is not targeted at any group or individual, Ugwu noted that the state government wants to regulate the activities of traditional practitioners.
“We all know that section 38 of the Nigerian constitution permits for freedom of religion, but the same section also provides for a cause where the rights should be limited, especially when it becomes harmful to society.
“If you are enjoying your freedom of religion, another person also has the freedom to live, and when you begin to infringe on that person’s rights, it becomes a crime. That’s why we come here to tackle it. Not too long ago, in Ezeagu especially and Igbo-Eze South, the bad news that I know Enugu state was not known for emanated here.
“We heard the news that people have been buried alive and a family of 4 losing all of their kids, so you can see how hurtful it can be,” the lawmaker said.
He pointed out that the state government will not fold its arm and watch the illegal activities to continue unchecked. Another lawmaker, Hon Chima Obieze, representing Ezeagu State Constituency, said the bill is out to provide practical solutions to security challenges coming from those who commit crimes in the name of religion.
Obieze noted that the bill mandates the traditional rulers and the President-Generals to submit monthly security reports to enable the government to take necessary actions.
While disclosing that it is obtainable in advanced countries, he revealed that individuals are permitted to set up private security outfits, which would be subject to government approval.
In his submission, the representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Mr. Tochukwu Ogbodo, said the religious leaders committing the atrocities are not members of the association.
Ogbodo suggested that the state government should create an agency or a ministry to oversee the activities of both Christian and traditional religion and called on religious leaders in the state to identify with them.
Also, a representative of the Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners in Enugu state, Mr. Desmond Meniru said the association would discourage their members from indulging or aiding criminal activities.
