Reps, PFN, Other Groups Call Out Buhari Over Kidnappings

Reconsider your stand on repentant bandits, NHRC tells Zamfara

Similarly, the National Human Rights Commission on Saturday called on the Zamfara State government to reconsider its stance on repentant bandits to avoid the elevation of criminality to a level where bandits would be dictating the conditions for negotiations with the government.

The NHRC Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, said this in a statement signed by the commission’s Deputy Director (Public Affairs), Fatimah Mohammed, in Abuja.

Ojukwu said, “The commission is using this opportunity to call on the Zamfara State government to reconsider its concept of repentant bandits so that the state government does not elevate criminality to a level where bandits will be dictating conditions for negotiations with the government.

“We reiterate the need for all the stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the Child Rights Act 2003, particularly the rights to free and compulsory education at least up to the Senior Secondary School level. This cannot be realised where the school environment is not safe and secure for continuous learning.”

Rid Nigeria of bandits, MOSOP tells FG

Due to widespread insecurity across the country, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People says that the Federal Government is losing control of security and needs to rid Nigeria of bandits.

MOSOP said Nigeria and Nigerians were under siege, adding that the only way forward was for the government to immediately take control of the security of lives and property.

MOSOP President, Mr Fegalo Nsuke, said these in a statement on Saturday titled, ‘Insecurity: Nigerians under siege, MOSOP tells FG.’

The statement, signed by the Secretary-General of the group, Alex Akori, read in part, “The government should free the country from bandits. Over a thousand schoolchildren have been kidnapped in Nigeria following the upsurge of banditry in northern Nigeria.”

“The security situation suggests that things are getting out of control and the government is failing to provide security for the citizens,” Nsuke added.

Pray for schoolgirls’ release, PFN tells Christians

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria on Saturday called on Christians to intensify prayers for the freedom of the abducted Zamfara schoolgirls.

The PFN President, Dr Felix Omobude, in a statement by the fellowship’s spokesperson, Simbo Olorunfemi, said the spate of abductions of schoolchildren was worrisome.

Omobude said, “We are disturbed that this incident is coming on the heels of the abduction in Kankara, Katsina State, and Kagara, Niger State. The PFN empathises with the students, their families, the government and the people of Zamfara State.

“We urge all Christians to pray fervently for the release of the students and for an improvement in the security situation of the country.

“We call on the government to intensify efforts at strengthening the level of security all over the country, with a worrisome upsurge in all sorts of criminal activities, with bandits, kidnappers and terrorists running riot.”

Abductions to cripple northern children’s education –CNG

Bothered by the incessant abductions of schoolchildren in the North, the Coalition of Northern Groups described the situation as a “grand design” to cripple the education of children in the region.

CNG spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, said the President (Buhari) owed the country the duty of explaining the glaring failure of his regime in providing security particularly in the northern region.

Suleiman said, “We call on northern leaders to interrogate the extent of levity of the federal authorities in not being able to anticipate and checkmate the manoeuvres of marauding bands of criminals that roam northern communities and operate at will, targeting soft spots like schools.

“We see the recent escalation of kidnappings of schoolchildren as a grand design to cripple the educational viability of the northern region after having messed up its economy and mutual cohesion.

“No doubt, the past few days have been difficult for everyone – difficult for the abducted pupils, parents and the families of the captives emotionally, practically and, of course, financially.”

Ganduje orders closure of additional four universities

Amid the rising insecurity, particularly the kidnapping of pupils from schools, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, on Saturday, ordered the closure of additional four tertiary institutions in the state.

Ganduje named the affected institutions as RMK College of Advanced and Remedial Studies, Tudun Wada; School of Environmental Studies, Gwarzo; School of Rural Technology and Entrepreneurship Development, Rano; and ABCOAD, Dambatta, Kano.

The state Commissioner for Higher Learning, Dr Mariya Bukure, in a statement, said the schools’ closure was with immediate effect.

To this end, students of the affected schools were ordered to vacate their campuses as soon as possible.

The state government said the date of resumption would be communicated to the students when the security situation improved.

The state government on Friday ordered the closure of 12 boarding secondary schools located on the outskirts of the state, a decision said to be informed by the latest abduction of over 300 Zamfara pupils.

Rep urges collectives efforts to tackle insecurity

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency, Femi Bamisile, has stressed the need for present and former Nigerian leaders to join forces to tackle the increasing wave of insecurity in the country.

Bamisile said the experiences and wisdom of the leaders were much needed now more than before.

The lawmaker said this in a statement in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Saturday entitled, ‘Students’ abductions: Bamisile calls for a more holistic security approach to tackle banditry.’

The lawmaker said the widespread insecurity across the country was unacceptable.

According to the statement, Bamisile said this after he, alongside a former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and a business mogul, Jack Tein Rich, recently visited Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar (retd); Gen Ibrahim Babangida (retd); Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello; and traditional rulers in Niger State after the abduction of over 40 students and teachers at the Government Science Secondary School in Kagara District.

Bamisile, who stressed the need for a better and holistic approach to stemming the tide of insecurity ravaging the country, said, “The unabated banditry in some parts of Nigeria is becoming worrisome, unpleasant and barbaric, hence the need to arrest the development without further delay.”

“The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari is worried as a result of the ugly situation in the country, hence the need for the people to cooperate with the government at all levels to ensure peaceful coexistence in the country,” he said.