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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Irked by the mass abduction of pupils in Kaduna State and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno, as well as students in Sokoto, the National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity has challenged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on kidnapping.
The NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje in a statement entitled ‘’ President Tinubu, save Nigeria from kidnappers’’ also demanded a security blueprint on safeguarding Nigeria from Tinubu and the service chiefs.
Owoaje while disclosing that 1,872 Nigerians have been abducted on the watch of President Tinubu as at January 2024, pointed out that contrary to his promise to ‘’defend Nigerians from terror and criminality’’, the Tinubu administration has ‘’abysmally failed to keep his promise in protecting and defending Nigerians from criminal elements’’.
He described the abductions as ‘’reprehensible and unacceptable’’ adding that ‘’the implication of this unchecked terror in schools is grave for the future of students and schools in Nigeria’’.
According to him, Nigerians who had to endure heart-rending episodes of abductions under Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency are reliving the same experience with the plethora of abductions under Tinubu.
Owoaje, who noted that President Tinubu should be worried that insurgents and their confederates are making mockery of his authority as President and Commander-in- Chief to tackle insecurity, again called for the unbundling of the Nigeria Police force to accommodate state Police.
The statement reads in part: “We demand a master plan from the President and his security team on ways they intend to keep the country safe. His current handling of security challenges is not putting enough heat on criminal elements. There is an urgent need for the Tinubu administration to change tactics.
‘’Now is the time for the Tinubu Presidency to unbundle Nigeria’s policing system. It is crystal clear that the current centrally controlled Police with 371,000 personnel can no longer serve the purpose of protecting Nigerians. President Tinubu working in collaboration with the National Assembly should speed up the amendment of the Constitution to create State Police.
‘’The creation of State Police with locals who are familiar with the people at the community level and terrain would ensure efficiency in intelligence gathering to prevent crime before they happen or a swift response if it occurs.
‘’More importantly, Nigeria’s justice system should be revamped to fast-track prosecution of suspects arrested for kidnapping and other terror related offences. Government, security agencies and Civil society must at all levels desist from recruiting negotiators to engage kidnappers thereby legitimising an abominable enterprise.
‘’The prompt rescue of kidnapped citizens and the interdiction of kidnappers and their confederates must be an urgent priority of the government and the security agencies. This is the most effective way to ensure deterrence. No Nigerian deserves the agony of being kidnapped when there is a government whose responsibility is to protect the people. President Tinubu needs to rise to the occasion and act as the President and Chief Security Officer of the country. Time is no longer on his side.’’
