Anglican Primate urges adequate security for returning IDPs
By: Elekwachi Chinedum, Abuja
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh has urged the federal government to ensure that adequate security is provided for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) before they are taken back to their respective places of abode.
Archbishop Okoh who gave the advise at the Standing Committee meeting of the Church in Kubwa, Abuja, stressed the need for the security personnel to be fully mobilized to provide security for the returnees to avert greater embarrassment for the government.
He said the terrorists who appear to have been degraded and pushed to a fallback position, might spring surprises anytime being fully aware of the gradual return of the IDPs.
“In view of the fact that the terrorists are aware that the ordinary people are returning home, they could spring surprises. The government should ensure that those who are returning are returning to life and safety.
“Adequate arrangement must be made to ensure there is total defeat of Boko Haram before they are asked to return home” he said.
The Primate who commended the government on its anti-graft war, especially in the area of blocking all sources of leakages in the national revenue, called for a holistic approach in the fight.
“The Church identifies with the government in its fight against corruption and encourages them to ensure that its dragnet is widespread across all strata of society, to ensure that all arms and tiers of government at all levels are attended to in the fight” he added.
On the rampant cases of kidnapping across the nation, Okoh described the ugly trend as embarrassing, saying the situation deserves a national emergency, even as he urged the National Assembly to urgently rise to the occasion.
