Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, criticized President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday for his administration’s efforts to combat national security, claiming he had fallen short of expectations.
In a statement, the group encouraged the Federal Government to alter “its style and address the difficulties head-on,” according to Mr. Jare Ajayi, its national publicity secretary.
However, the group reiterated its appeal for local and state policing, adding that this would drastically lessen insecurity.
The statement reads, “Afenifere has urged on the Federal Government to change its style and address the issues head-on because Afenifere is concerned about the surge in insecurity resulting in multiple losses of lives and assets across the country.
This request comes in light of recent kidnapping, terrorism, and armed robbery occurrences that have occurred throughout Nigeria, especially the South West.
“Afenifere regrets that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is not doing enough to stop the continuous escalation of terrorism and kidnapping incidents.
We recall the killing of dozens of people in Benue State, the killing of a NECO staff member by armed robbers on the campus of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan last week, the abduction of four travelers in Ekiti, the kidnapping of about 30 children working on a farm in Mairuwa village in Katsina State, and the abduction of travelers on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, including Prof. Adigun Agbaje Additionally, farmers were taken hostage on Oke- Ogun’s Iseyin-Ipapo Road.
“Recall that President Buhari promised to significantly reduce insecurity before his term ends next year while presenting this year’s budget to the National Assembly. But since then, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, etc. events have increased. Because of how bad things have gotten, some nations have classified Nigeria as a region that should be avoided because of its vulnerability to terrorism. The governments of the US, UK, Canada, and Denmark have all urged their citizens to avoid Abuja, the federal capital of Nigeria.
Some of these states are even evacuating some of their diplomatic workers to demonstrate how seriously they took the terrorist indicators they saw. The intensity, regularity, and ferocity of terrorist acts in the nation tend to suggest that terrorists and bandits are ahead of the government in the game, whereas the opposite was supposed to be the case, Afenifere contends, while acknowledging the reported efforts of security agencies at checkmating the antics of bandits and terrorists.
While expressing confidence in the government’s ability to address the issue, including, for example, granting states who so chose access to their Police services, it was suggested that this should descend to the local and community levels.
Stop treating terrorists and bandits who have been apprehended with kid gloves.
“Hurry up with the trials of captured terrorists and criminals.
Show that no person, group, or tribe should receive special treatment over and above the rest, and that we are all equal before the law.
Security agencies should be given the tools they need and incentives to help them perform their tasks appropriately.
That the country be speedily reorganized such that every region or area runs on a truly federal system, and that the necessary equipment be put into operation.
Despite insisting that the government’s main responsibilities are to ensure security and welfare, Afenifere stated: “Unfortunately, the administration has fallen short of expectations in these and many other ways. Within the few months left of his presidency, President Buhari can improve the situation.
