By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna
Apparently elated over the proactive measures taken recently to rescue kidnapped victims, the Coalition for Peace and National Unity has said that it is left with no option than to commend the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and other security agencies for tackling security challenges and stabilising the country.
According to group, the recent release of hostages kidnapped by bandits the hard work and tirelessly efforts to ensure the release of the school pupils and other kidnapped victims rescued within good time, is a great feat worthy of commendation.
“We are beginning to see that the security situation is gradually improving in Northern Nigeria compared to what used to be obtainable in the past when daredevil Boko Haram insurgents and bandits had field day operating unhindered, especially in the north.” The group stated.
The Coalition for Peace and National Unity,which made the commendations in a statement signed by the Secretary General of the group, Dr. Abdullahi Musa Ringim, said, “We are highly impressed over rescue of the 15 Tsangaya students kidnapped at a Qur’anic school in Sokoto State, who regained freedom; the rescued students of the Federal University Gusau from terrorists that invaded the students off campus accommodation and the rescue of 137 Kuriga pupils abducted more than three weeks ago from their school in Kaduna. It is great feat worthy of commendation.”
It also applauded the military operations that led to the killing of most notorious bandits leaders in Zamfara and Katsina states and scores of their fighters.
The group said though there is still works to do on issues of insecurity challenges, especially in the north, the proactive measures taken recently has yield positive results with hope that the fight against banditry and Boko Haram insurgents will soon be history.
While urging the office of NSA and security agencies to adopt strategic proactive measures to fight against all forms of criminality across the country, especially banditry and Insurgency, it posited, “At this juncture, and from our comparative analysis as well as records obtained by our research unit, we are left with no option than to commend federal government for efforts taken so far to tackle prolonged security challenges in the country, with the last eight months of Tinubu’s administration”.
According to the group, survey carried out recently revealed that the security situation has tremendously improved in Northern Nigeria compared to what used to be obtained in the past during the days of President Goodluck Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Buhari made a number of promises to address Nigeria’s chronic security problems, but failed to effectively address them. Bandits attacked military locations, kidnapped hundreds of school students and abducted travellers. They even bombed a train and abducted passengers.
” The bandit groups existed across the North-West zone and Niger State. These groups were economically driven. When they are not kidnapping for ransom, they exploit the lack of state presence to impose taxes and protection levies on rural communities.
But across the 19 northern states according to research conducted by the group, in states like Kaduna; Sokoto , Zamfara, Katsina, the nefarious activities and attacks by bandits must be contained without any consideration.
“It is no longer news that as a country, we have witnessed unprecedented security challenges such as : Boko Haram Terrorists attacks, militancy, armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, Fulani herders/farmers clashes, cultism among other social vices, but now that the federal government has sense of commitment to ensuring that Nigerians can go to bed with their two eyes closed, we should let the government to succeed. “
