From Mathew Jwantu,
Minna
Youth in Niger state under the auspices of Coalition of Public Interest Group on Tuesday called on President Mohamadu Buhari to weight in to the deteriorating security in Niger state or face their action.
Address addressing journalists on state of insecurity in the state, the convener of the group Mohammed Saidu Etsu noted with dismay that over 9 local government are currently under siege as bandits attack them freely without any fear.
“As we speak Bandits are having a field day in our communities. They attack at will without any form of resistance from the security forces. Annoyingly to, the Governments is aware of where these criminals are camp and their routes of operations.”
Etsu lamented that this has degenerated over a period of time without any serious action from the Federal Government.
“To put this into perspective, we bring to the memory of well-meaning Nigerians that we are the state that has the biggest landmass in our country.”
He called on the President as the commander in chief to give special attention to the insecurity in Niger State, as the state is by landmass the biggest in Nigeria, and its proximity to the seat of power (Abuja) should also be considered.
“As we speak, more than Nine Local Government Areas in the state, which include among others, Shiroro, Rafi, Munya, Tafa, Lapai, Borgu, Mariga, and Paikoro have been on ravaged by bandits and kidnappers, who killed, raped and abducted on daily basis. While Communities sacked with means of livelihood destroyed”
In his strong worded addressed, the convener who said the federal government is only paying lip service to their misfortunes, maintained that “we specially emphasize that failure to heed this call or any escalation of the crisis beyond what it is now may spell doom, as we are strategically located in the map of Nigeria.”
He challenged tradition rulers to do the needful by giving adequate support on areas of information to security agencies in order to wipe out criminals in the community.
“Our people are dying and we can’t fold our arms and watch.”
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to heed the call of well meaning Nigerians to change the security architecture of this country, because there is no better time than now.
“A situation where community resort to self help has shown definitely there is failure of leadership.
We are calling on well meaning Nigerlites that on Monday 17″ February 2020 everybody should be on black cloth and hold special prayer in any location they are in this country.”
“A word is enough for the wise.
God bless Nigeria.” He conclude.
On his part, the president Shiroro progressive youth movement lamented that security issues in Shiroro Local government is only getting worse. As according to him, the police are overwhelmed with the situations there’s nothing they can do.
” we have in on record when we reported to the Air force showing them the bandits that attacked our community, they just went and returned that they didn’t see anybody. ”
According to him all members of the community have left for fear of another attack living their farm produce that are ready for harvest unattended to.
He called on the state governor to sit up because he is not always around and his absence according to him is also a problem.
Ibrahim Bello who said the three vehicles given to the local government is no way to be found, advice governor Sani Bello to empower the vigilante because they are ready to do the work but they are not well equip.