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A Nigerian Female Activist and Vice President, Voice of Arewa, Dr. Nabila Yusuf Ahmad has called on the federal government to intensify security of lives and property across the federation with more interest across the nineteen northern states where seems to be the zone where such are most perpetrated.
Dr. Nabila who made the call in Kaduna on Friday during a World Press Conference organized by the Voice of Arewa with the theme: “Security In Jeopardy: A call to Action”, pointed out that every day, Nigerians face the harsh realities of kidnappings, street begging, unemployment, and deplorable living conditions.
“As the Vice President Voice of Arewa, I am filled with passion and determination to address the critical issues that plague our beloved Northern Nigeria.
“Data obtained by Daily Trust shows that 1,158 people were reportedly kidnapped between June to October. On a month-by-month basis, the breakdown of reported kidnapped victims shows that September recorded the highest number of kidnappings with 498, closely followed by August and June with 213 and 178 kidnapped persons respectively.
“The tragedy is worse in the northen region. The total number of victims in Zamfara stood at 229 and 202 FCT at the time of report. In Kaduna alone, 353 victims were kidnapped, more than all the 17 Southern states combined, where 352 victims were reported to have been kidnapped.
“We understand that people should not remain silent while their communities suffer. Therefore, as the Voice of Arewa, we refuse to accept the status quo.
“Today, we raise our voices with unwavering resolve, calling upon the President, governors, and all relevant authorities and agencies to take immediate and decisive action.
“Our families, neighbours, friends, and future are being snatched away from the safety of our schools as kidnapping even students becomes the most lucrative business for perpetrators, which shouldn’t be tolerated any longer by the federal government.
“We demand the rescue and the restoration of security in Arewa and the country at large.
“Our passion burns bright, fueled by our love for our land and its people.
“We will not rest until all victims are rescued, until every child is safe, until every family can, and every person can live in dignity and prosperity.
“Tom Vilsack once said,
“Now our job, our duty, our responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our citizens cannot be complete unless we guarantee health care security for our citizens.”
This brings us to another segment of insecurity in our region.
While making shocking revelations, she has this to say, “the bottom line or source of all these kidnappings, killings, and other social issues is poverty. The Federal government should do all it takes in its reach to focus on this region to better the lives of Nigerians in this zone.
“We are suffering, our people are going through a lot daily. It is on this note we are calling on the Federal government to please help us in any way to curb all these challenges in the north.
“The following are our wishes that should be attended to by the federal government: The federal government should please as a matter of urgency push for the release of the entire students across the federation who have been taken captive by kidnappers
“The federal government should intensify Security across the 19 States of the North to put to a stop these kidnapping that has continued to raise its ugly head
“Governors should see the need to fence public schools since kidnappers’ targets are public schools
“The federal government should consider empowering youths in the North either Agriculture or skills-wise
“The federal government should open its doors and open up windows for NGOs’ engagements and relevant stakeholders.
“We stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as a force for change.
“Let our voices echo through the halls of power. Let our message resonate in the hearts of those who hold the key to a better future.
“We are the voice of hope, the voice of resilience, and the Voice of Arewa. Together, we will bring about the transformation our people deserve”, Nabila added.
