Fish Out And Administer Severe Punishment On Collaborators Of Bandits, Kidnappers, Northern Elders Forum Tells Govt
Ayuba Sanusi
THE Northern Elders Forum ( NEF) has opined that given the overwhelming cases of bad elements hibernating and nesting in the existing security system, there is an urgent need for the government to, continuously, fish -out and administer severe punishment on all those caught red-handed collaborating with the cowardly bandits and also criminally fostering their many nefarious kidnapping escapades in our peace-loving nation.
The Director-General of the Forum, Prof. Doknan DD Sheni, in a statement on Friday, called on the federal, state and local governments to forge a strong collaboration aimed at creating a more holistic, robust and enduring security system which is anchored on activating local vigilance, empowerment and fair and effective service delivery to all citizens.
While registering anguish at the alarming spates of audacious incursions into secondary schools, colleges of higher learning and universities in Northern Nigeria by hordes of bandits, hardened criminals, violent kidnappers and marauding hoodlums, the Forum insists it is disconcerting that the spectre of this wanton act of criminality, is eeriely assuming a much more frightening dimension.
“While the pains and sense of loss at the woeful failure of the government to rescue many of the Chibok girls from captivity have continued to add more misery to our forlorn lives, the recent highly disturbing news of yet another audacious kidnapping of about 46 girls from the Federal University of Gusau, in Zamfara state, clearly leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
“This violent assault on the female hostel of the federal university in Gusau, the sprawling capital of Zamfara state, is remarkably taking place against the background of similar violent attacks in Depchi, which also resulted in the sad loss of precious lives, serious injuries and the kidnapping of a number of law-abiding students, most of them girls in their early teens.
“It is now pretty obvious, that, the alarming rates, frequency and relative ease, with which these bunch of criminals are able to carry out these dastardly criminal acts, are indicative of
gross security lapses and intolerable negligence on the side of our security operatives and even the law enforcement officials.
“We find it difficult to believe, that, at a time when the government is proudly beating its chest, new fighting equipment, protection kits and tactical assault helicopters have since been adequately provided, in order to boost the dwindling morale and combat readiness of our gallant forces, these handful of very cowardly criminals, are seemingly being allowed everywhere, in both urban and the rural North, to operate so freely.
“Nigerians in general and the people of Northern Nigeria in particular, have over the years, seen their lives and businesses cruelly ravaged by mounting insecurity, which is characterized by religious insurgencies, banditry, herders -farmers feuds and violent kidnappings.
“The cumulative adverse effects of these societal ills on the relative state of stability, strong social cohesion and the future economic prosperity of the North, have been well documented elsewhere, to really belabour us here.”
The Forum says though it feels enormously encouraged by the good news of the recent timely rescue of some of the kidnapped Gusau girls by gallant soldiers, it says it shall remain unwavering in its determination to secure the release of all those still in captivity and the speedy return of peace and stability to the North and Nigeria as a whole.
“Towards this end, we wish to reaffirm our unqualified sympathy and shared concerns with the parents and families of the victims of this inhuman act”, the Forum stated.
Eighteen-Eleven Media
