Following the deteriorating security situation across the country, the South-West Zone of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security and take immediate action to stem the rising tide of kidnappings, banditry, and violent crimes.
Bishop Dr. Barnabas Tunde Akin-Akinsanya, Chairman of CAN South-West, said in a statement on Sunday that the escalating wave of abductions and attacks in states like
Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, and Lagos poses a major threat to national peace, economic development, and social stability. He advocated for a proactive approach to addressing the “ugly situation.”
The Christian organization noted: “Incidents of kidnapping and other violent crimes, once considered isolated cases, have now become a recurring national challenge that continues to instill fear and uncertainty among citizens.”
While expressing condolences for the victims and their families, CAN strongly criticised the actions of kidnappers, bandits, and other criminal elements terrorising communities across the country.
The group also prayed for the safe release of those still held captive, as well as comfort for families who have lost loved ones in criminal attacks. It urged governments at all levels to go beyond rhetorical promises and take tangible, immediate action to solve the country’s security concerns.
CAN believes that unusual times necessitate extraordinary answers, emphasising the need to deploy new security technologies, increase intelligence collection, and improve cooperation among security authorities.
It claimed that it is time for governments at all levels to move beyond rhetoric and take unprecedented measures to address the national emergency. The group urged the federal government to bolster the country’s security architecture by providing security services with current surveillance technology, drones, advanced communication devices, intelligence systems, and fast reaction capabilities required to battle criminal networks.
The group argued that the deteriorating security situation requires the declaration of a national emergency to coordinate a strong reaction against criminal elements, citing criminal gangs’ more sophisticated activities.
CAN also advised the Federal Government to seek technical and intelligence assistance from friendly countries and international security partners as needed, arguing that national security should take precedence over political considerations, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and concerns about national pride.
The association argued that every legitimate path capable of restoring peace and security to the country should be pursued. It also reiterated its support for the formation of state police, encouraging the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to expedite measures to decentralise policing in the country.
According to CAN, state policing has grown critical due to the specific security problems confronting various parts of the country. The association highlighted the vulnerability of woods, highways, farmlands, and border villages in the South West, claiming that criminal groups are increasingly using these regions as operational bases.