Stop These Killings And Kidnappings

killings




Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/bombshell-enyeama-wont-captain-eagles-rohr/
Coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr won’t be stripping John Obi Mikel as captain of the team even if former captain Vincent Enyeama returns to the team.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/04/bombshell-enyeama-wont-captain-eagles-rohr/
Recently, killings and kidnappings in Nigeria have assumed an alarming rate. These are indicative of the fact that security, especially in communities and hinterlands of the country, still remains an issue, even as the 2019 general elections beckon.
Therefore, the government needs to respond swiftly and proactively so as to bring the ugly trend under control. Indeed, a lot more needs to be done in this direction.
Just last week some unknown gunmen reportedly killed the Secretary, Transition Committee, Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, Ime Atakpa, on Easter Sunday. Also, in Bayelsa state, on the same Easter Sunday, Famous Giobaro, a journalist at the Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation, was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his residence.  On the eve of Easter Sunday, a first class traditional ruler, the Oniyani of Iyawo Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State was abducted by, yet, unknown gunmen.
READ ALSO: Gunmen Kidnap First Class Oba In Ondo, Demand N15m Ransom
And not too long ago, precisely the 9th of April, an army captain and a civilian were reportedly killed by suspected militants in Isawo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
Hitherto, there has been a preponderance of massive political killings and kidnappings of all sorts, in the country. Indeed, the gruesome murder of some noted politicians in the nation are still very fresh in the minds of Nigerians.
For example, Funsho Williams, a onetime governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos was killed in his residence in 2006; Harry Marshall, former Deputy National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) was assassinated in 2003, Rt Hon Okon Uwah, the former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly was assassinated in March 2015, just to mention but a few.
Yet these high profile deaths have remained unresolved.
Not a few Nigerians have been alarmed at the continuous spate of killings and other forms of criminality in some specific parts of the country. It is not in doubt that some of these killings are politically motivated, as the case of the Akwa Ibom Local Government politician underscores.
Of course, the news of the incessant killings of innocent Nigerians, rumours of one attack or the other by hoodlums and criminals, even in the comfort of the homes has certainly created a disturbing situation where people are gripped with fears and movements restricted.
The law enforcement agencies have been working assiduously to ensure a secure and safe environment. But we are worried that this might be a sign of a resurgence of another wave of political killings, even as the country has been grappling with other security issues like the Boko Haram insurgency in the north east, and onslaught of herdsmen attacks.
The government has the onerous duty of ensuring a secure environment for the citizenry. Indeed, it is the diligent discharge of this responsibility that would justify the structures of the security apparatus at the command of the administration.
Therefore, the intelligence and the security agencies have to be activated a lot more, to stem the insidious crimes in the country; especially as another election period is fast approaching.
Apart from strengthening the security agencies, we believe that the country needs to go beyond the regular police structure and consider strongly the idea of community or state policing.
  Interestingly, the Lagos state government has set a good example in this regard, with the recent launch of its Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps to compliment the activities of the Police in the state. This can be replicated in other states as it provides plausible security at the grassroots.
In fact, rural vigilante groups, Neighbourhood watches and individual vigilance are today required, more than ever before, to assuage the rising tide of killings and kidnappings in the country.
Beyond this, gunrunning is also, undoubtedly, an issue in the country. Illegal firearms have flooded the streets and communities in the country. These weapons end up in the hands of criminally minded people, which make it easier for them to perpetuate their horrendous crimes.
Therefore, the Nigerian Immigration service and the Nigerian Customs service have a veritable role to play in this regard; to check the influx of these illegal weapons into the shores of Nigeria. The time to act is now.

POSTED BY:OPUOMONI PRIYE
DATE:04/26/2017

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