.Appeals to Nigerian govt for assistance
By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
Niger State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has appealed to the Nigerian government to intervene in the rising insecurity in the state.
It also urged the government to look into the plight of communities whose farmland and homes had been taken over by armed men suspected to be terrorists in parts of Niger State.
Besides, it reminded the government that one of its fundamental responsibilities was to protect lives and properties of citizenry, stressing that any government that failed in this responsibility would not claim to be serving the core interest of the citizenry.
The Niger State CAN Chairman, Rev. Matthias Echioda, made the appeal, while reflecting on the state of the nation.
He also cautioned that, looking the other way as armed bandits continue their advancement into parts of the state, killing, maiming and kidnapping people only confirmed how insensitive the government is to citizens.
Echioda said that the continued encroachment of the criminals into the state unhindered could be disastrous if nothing was done and urgently too.
“The worsening security situation is very unfortunate. Armed bandits are taking more space among us, some villagers can no longer sleep in their homes.
‘‘The victims, who are predominantly farmers abandoned their farm lands with crops un-harvested.
“While the federal government is said to have claimed that it is overwhelmed by the security challenges; who is then safe in Nigeria? If the federal and state government is telling Nigerians that they cannot flush out armed bandits from our territory, then there is a problem.
“Only last Sunday, a pastor, who had visited his friend in one of the affected communities was killed alongside his friend’s wife. And as I am talking to you now many of the communities have abandoned their homes. This is not a good testimony for the government.”
Echioda said that, while many Nigerians could no longer sleep with their two eyes closed, the news that the President did not visit the families of the children kidnapped in Katsina but instead had time with his cattle is really a sad commentary for the present administration. While pleading for holistic action to keep the armed bandits out of Nigerian territory, the CAN chairman however encouraged citizenry to be security conscious as the Christmas is around the corner.
