*alleged that bandits were imported in 2015
By; AMOS TAUNA, Kaduna
The Congress of Northern Nigeria Christians (CNNC), has observed that the inability of government to overcome killings, kidnappings and other criminal activities in parts of the country has encouraged and emboldened terrorists to challenge Nigerians unabated.
A statement issued by CNNC Chairman, Elder Steven B. Bangoji, alleged that government imported bandits for the 2015 elections under an agreement which it has not fulfilled its part of the bargain, saying that that some government functionaries are beneficiaries of the proceeds of the ransoms being collected.
He also alleged that the government failed to give them their territories, therefore ejecting the indigenous people out of the land for them to occupy, believing that
the government is complicit in what the bandits are doing.
“Government imported them for the 2015 election under an agreement which Government has not fulfilled its part of the bargain. Some Government functionaries are beneficiaries of the proceeds of the ransoms being collected,” the statement stated.
The congress explained that the incidents of insecurity all over the country are becoming intractable, stressing that kidnappings, destruction of lives and properties have escalated to an unbearable dimension.
According to the statement, “Nigerians have become used to hearing everyday how many people have been killed or kidnapped and with the expected response from Government to apprehend and deal with the perpetrators. We are beginning to conclude that the Government and the military are overwhelmed.
“Has Nigeria become a conquered territory? This inane attitude of government and its security agents to the incessant evils is highly disturbing and condemnable. The security of this nation should be given the most serious desired attention by all levels of government and security agencies. There should not be any sacred cow under any disguise. Terrorists should be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The constitution of Nigeria should be regarded and honored above all other considerations.”
The Congress, therefore, sympathized with millions of Christians and other victims of the incessant kidnappings, killings and those that have been forcibly relocated to various camps while others are being hosted by neighbors, believing that many are made homeless with their means of livelihood completely destroyed and no assistance coming from government to cushion their untold man-made hardship.
The statement lamented that Nigerians are baffled with hundreds of IDP camps in the country, especially the Middle Belt with thousands of people un-catered for by government, stressing that the President is either being shielded from the untold hardship of the citizens, created by the poor state of insecurity or is pretending that all is well.
The CNNC has written letters to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto state and His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, expressing its concern over the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel, expecting a quick response to their demand on the matter.
The CNNC expressed dismay at the indefinite and prolonged ASUU strike as a total disgrace to the country, stating that Nigeria seems to be the only country that has made the education of its people of no consequence.
“Government should rise to its responsibility of guaranteeing quality education of its citizens and sincerely consider the demands of ASUU; the situation requires urgent attention so that a full-proof solution could be found to guarantee sound education in the country that will compete favourably with others in the world,” the statement advised.
It suggested that the content and the execution of the educational system of the country need to be reviewed and revised to make it more productive, meaningful and relevant, alleging that the products of the system in many cases are half-baked literates, as the quality of teachers, their training and academic background, particularly at the primary level leaves much to be desired.
The congress noted with dismay that the people of Nigeria witnessed a new trend of primary election during which votes were openly traded for billions of Naira or Dollars and the high bidders emerged as winners for the 2023 general election.
“This uncivilized development is a thing of great concern to any right thinking human being. It goes to show that if the trend continues unchecked, Nigerians will never afford to elect credible people that can move this country forward, but people with questionable characters who bought their way into leadership through corruption,” the statement explained.
It lamented that it is evident that the future of the country is doomed as the uncomfortable development is becoming a normal political game in the country, saying that the Buhari administration that promised Nigerians a corrupt free society has failed woefully, and the worst of its kind is the corrupt primary election, displayed under the obvious watch of his administration. The Congress called on Nigerians to get their PVCs that would enable them vote the right leadership that will change the ugly story of the incessant evil experiences, while urging Nigerians to get prepared to come out enmass and vote for the right candidate irrespective of religious or political party affiliations when the election time comes.
