The leader of the minority caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon Kingsley Chinda, on Monday, condemned the recent spate of kidnappings and escalating security situation in the country and called for action to address the problem.
Chinda, in a statement made available to parliamentary correspondents, observed with grave concern the alarming rate in which criminals have seized the nation by the jugular, casting doubts on the capacity of the nation-state to defend itself and protect citizens calls for serious concerns.
He worried that no section of the country appears safe for citizens to live their lives, uplift their wellbeing, and contribute to the growth and progress of the country.
Chinda expressed concern particularly over the interstate highway systems which have become deathtraps and the staging posts of kidnappers, extortionists and criminal elements of the dark underworld.
He said: “In particular, our interstate highway systems, which serve not only as the backbone of our transportation system but as the commerce corridors through which commercial entities and citizens move their goods and services, providing businesses lifelines, have become deathtraps and the staging posts of kidnappers, extortionists and criminal elements of the dark underworld.
“The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, gravely worried about the prevailing conditions of our interstate highways and the general state of insecurity in our country, expresses its deep concern and outright condemnation of the recent kidnappings that have further highlighted the alarming state of insecurity in our nation.
“The kidnapping of 29 medical students from Benue State, who were en route to Enugu State for their Annual Conference, is a heinous act that strikes at the heart of our future. These young men and women, dedicated to pursuing knowledge and bettering the lives of their fellow Nigerians, must not be left to suffer in the hands of criminals.
“Equally disturbing is the abduction of Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa District in Sokoto, and his son. This brazen attack on a traditional leader, a symbol of peace and authority within his community, is a blatant affront to the rule of law and order. This is coming few days after gunmen ambushed and killed the Gara of Chanchanji, HRH Tanimu Kunbiya and his son Yusuf in Taraba State.
“Furthermore, the kidnapping of the Anambra State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Mba, and his wife on the highway in Kogi State, who was released yesterday by his abductors, underscores the terrifying reality that no one is safe, not even those who have dedicated their lives to public service.”
Chinda said these incidents are not isolated but represent a broader, more concerning trend of increasing lawlessness and insecurity in our country.
He said the frequency and audacity of these attacks suggest a complete breakdown in the security architecture.
This, he said, cannot be allowed to continue while the country pretends or consoles itself with the conclusion that the situation is improving.
He called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and all other security and law enforcement agencies to change their tactics of engagement and act swiftly and decisively.
“It is imperative and indeed an unconditional demand that the kidnapped citizens are rescued unharmed, and the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice.
“The government must prioritize the safety of all Nigerians. We cannot allow our nation to slide into anarchy, where criminals operate with impunity, and the citizens live in constant fear. The time for rhetoric is over; now is the time for action.
“As leaders, we must take responsibility and work collaboratively to restore peace and security across Nigeria. The Minority Caucus urges the government to invest in intelligence gathering, improve coordination among security agencies, and implement community-based security strategies that involve local leaders and stakeholders.
“Mr. President MUST wake up to the fact that his primary responsibility is the security of lives and property and improvement of the welfare of Nigerians. He needs to be on top of the situation. We urge him to declare a state of emergency in the security sector and without more give a matching order to the Sector heads.
“The future of our nation depends on our ability to protect our people and uphold the rule of law. We must not fail,” he said.