The Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the rising spite of insecurity and reinstate the nation’s health, education, and food security that has spurred crimes across the country.
President of the Union, comrade Chris Isuguzo made the call at a world press conference on the state of the nation in Abuja
He said the recent Kuje prison break has sent a strong signal to Nigerians that all is not well, hence canvasing for a proactive step by the government to ensure the maintenance of law and order, particularly as the nation is striving towards the election year.
Chris further added that the rate at which these terrorist groups attack is becoming worrisome as safety is not guaranteed in the country anymore, thus urging the security agencies to act fast and rescue the country.
“INSECURITY Gentlemen of the media, it is almost becoming unbelievable the geometric rate of attacks by terrorists/bandits in different locations. The unfortunate development is certainly unacceptable, particularly with the proportion and dimension insecurity has assumed in the country to the extent that no one is sure of where is safe any longer. While terrorism and banditry are ravaging most parts of the North-east, North-west, and some states in the North-central geo-political zones, (we are worried at the number of kidnap cases, especially in Kaduna, Zamfara, and Niger states), IPOB agitation and assumed criminality is sweeping across the South-east, (as at today, Imo and Anambra states have become notorious for disturbing trends in kidnapping and killings.
The security agencies must rise to the occasion, especially in Imo state where some arrests have been reportedly made with suspects making mind-boggling revelations. Some
suspects are said to be in custody, since December last year and have even allegedly mentioned names of politicians as their sponsors. Such revelations should not just be ignored.
All those fingered as masterminds of insecurity in the area must be brought to book irrespective of who they are. We are hopeful that the IGP would address these issues as a matter of utmost national importance
Just last Tuesday night, the audacity of these criminal gangs was expressed in a daring raid on the Kuje Maximum Security Prison in Abuja. The Correctional Facility was breached for hours without any reinforcement being sent after the Soldiers and other guards were overpowered. According to Correctional Service Officials, over 600 Prisoners escaped, including all the Boko Haram members in detention. Before then, a Presidential convoy conveying an advance party of Officials for the Sallah visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Daura was attacked and it took the Presidential Guards much effort to repel the attackers. This is the frightening dimension of security challenges in the country today.”
The NUJ president also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to come to a compromise in order to surmount five months old strike that has practically lured the youths into criminalities.
“The NUJ wishes to passionately appeal to the good conscience of President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, national interest and for the sake of the future generations of Nigerians, personally wade into the matter to save the country from further embarrassment. The country can no longer afford to continue to watch our youths waste away at home with no end in sight for school resumption. The NUJ believes strongly that the personal intervention of Mr. President would go a long way in addressing the issues at stake as against what looks like the back and forth dance steps around the subject matter by some officials of government. We equally appeal to the leadership and members of ASUU to in the overall interest of the nation, accept some of the offers the federal government is proposing to allow for the resumption of academic activities in the Universities.”
The Leadership believes uniting the nation for economic and security impact will require the effort of all politicians to salvage the current hardship faced in the country.
