ASHENEWS reports that Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Niger state have called on the Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago to be proactive in dealing with the insecurity bedeviling the state capital and other parts of the state.
The Director of Programs of the Initiative for Social Development in Africa (ISODAF), Mathew Oladele made this call on behalf of the CSOs after a peaceful walk to commemorate the National Day of Morning (NDOM) in Minna.
He said that the uprising of hooliganism in Minna metropolis is becoming a concern especially as the State has a Commissioner of Homeland Security.
Oladele noted that the state should be experiencing an improved security with the formation of the Ministry of Homeland Security lamenting that the reverse is the case.
The Director urged the Governor to empower the vigilantes across the communities to make them more formidable against attacks.
“The National Day of Mourning is the day is set aside to remember and honor that fallen citizens as a result of Mass Atrocities which are armed banditry, cultism, insurgency, extrajudicial killings, communal clashes, and other insecurity propelled deaths.”
Oladele said that the event which is being celebrated nationwide is to raise awareness about mass atrocities in Nigeria and demanding accountability for the victims of these incidents.
“It is dishearteningly clear that the fight against mass atrocities remains as urgent as ever. While we have seen progress since our last commemoration, recent records reveal alarming statistics. At least, 4,416 people were killed, and 2,653 were abducted across Nigeria in 2023 as reported. These figures underscore the ongoing need for concerted action.
“In Niger state alone, from 2019 to 2023 a total of mass atrocity related deaths records are follows; in 2019, 100 deaths were recorded, in 2020, 254 deaths were recorded, in 202, 438 deaths were recorded, in 2022, 510 deaths were recorded while in 2023, 274 persons were killed without justice.
“There are communities in Niger State that are yet to recover from insecurity attacks in Munya, Shiroro, Rafi local government areas while there are other isolated cases of mass kidnapping across the LGAs in Niger State.”
” Therefore, it is with a heavy heart and an unwavering hope for a safer Nigeria that we called out the leaders (Governor, President, Security Chiefs and other duty bearers) who has the responsibility to ensure security of lives and properties as sworn to with the constitution of Nigeria”
Other CSOs who were in attendance demanded that the Inspector General of Police utilize its esteemed authority to launch investigations into incidents of mass atrocities nationwide. The Police was also called to ensure that those responsible for these reprehensible acts are apprehended and brought to justice.
The peaceful walk began at Tunga roundabout and ended at the Mobil round about where a minute of silence was held in memory of those who have lost their lives in the mass atrocities.
