King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) has called on Nigerian government, parents and the general public to double their efforts in ensuring that insecurity becomes a thing of the past.
The Nigerian fellows of international dialogue Centre in a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, delivered by Stephen Ojapa, lamented the insecurity which has affected everyone, regardless of their age, social or political class.
Ojapa furthermore, said that the act of kidnapping has become a business. Hence the urgent need for govt and other state actors and stakeholders to do more.
The fellows in the statement also recommended that religious leaders should “instill the correct teachings of the scriptures,” and also “deradicalise religious fundamentalists and fanatics.”
The fellows recommended that government “Mobilizes the Citizenry on the dangers posed by the kidnapping, violence, extremism and banditry,” and also partner with NGOs, CSOs, and other stakeholders/Donor Agencies to address these challenges.
The fellows also urged the general public and parents to “go back to the communal life of raising godly children…”
Ojapa decried the spate of killings and maiming of human beings, recounting the increasing rate of kidnapping, displacement of both young and old, and those killed along the line.
The statement further reads, “Religious, political and traditional leaders, women, girls and the aged are also being kidnapped at different places all for ransom or settling scores. While some were fortunate to be rescued most times with huge ransom paid, some are killed or die in the hands of their captors, while some have remained with their captors for years now.
“From the combination of unknown gun men, terrorism and banditry, religious and ethnic violence, Boko Haram, and killer herders ravaging almost all parts of the country; available statistics has it that in 2021, well over 6,000 people have been killed around the country.
“Several houses, businesses, government facilities and religious places of worship worth billions of naira have also been destroyed and 210,000 people have been internally displaced and over 70,000 fled to seek refuge in neighbouring countries.
“According to these reports as we are all witnesses, there has been ‘harvest of abductions’ , with over 1, 774 abductees within the period under review. With the most recent national security threat involving prison breaks, destruction of security posts and bombing of the rail lines in Kaduna State.”
The statement also recommended that “government should look into the welfare of these security agents and their families for motivation and compensationNigeria is blessed with so many valuable human and natural resources, if peace is restored, there will be development, friendship, community spirit and unity will be seen and the lost glory of our dear nation will be restored. We as KAICIID Fellows in Nigeria believe we can do that; and the time which waits for no one is now.
The President of Nigerian KAICIID fellows, Dr Auwal Farouk said that Nigeria bears the risk of Educational degradation if security is not improved upon.
He recommended that technology should be adopted by security agents to further combat insecurity.
