Rising from a two-day security conference in Kaduna, the Arewa Research and Development (ARDP), has lamented the ongoing security threats in the country.
In a communique issued at the end of their security meeting held at Arewa House Kaduna, the group said, since government has failed in its responsibility of securing lives of her citizenry, ” Nigerians should cooperate to ensure they get rid of criminals in the country.”
The communiqué which was signed by the coordinator of ARDP and former National Assembly lawmaker, Dr. Usman Bugaje, condemned the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Northern Nigeria; adding that the massive increase in small arms and light weapons in circulation was as a result of the security challenges facing Nigeria. This, according to him, was brought by the activities of Boko Haram, Kidnapping and armed banditry.
Bugaje said that as a result of the failure of the Federal Government, many people have resorted to self-help in defending their lives against the activities of insurgents, bandits and kidnappers, saying, the situation has culminated to “the development of numerous vigilante self-help groups from civilian JTF to Yan sa kai”.
According to him, the people are, “fearful of the capacity of the state and its agencies to address the crisis; and alarmed at the rapidly rising level of hate and dangerous speech that is further eroding public safety”.
“Participants observed the inability of farmers to go to their farms in so many states and the growing threat of
famine.
“Nigerians are challenged by the collapse of national and local governance and the rapid and extensive growth of
ungoverned spaces,’ he said.
” The Conference is convinced that citizens must rise to the occasion and devise strategies to provide for their safety”; Bugaje said
“We must develop a survival strategy for the communities of the North and map out pathways for national survival.
“The Conference focused on how our communities can effectively be involved to protect themselves
and improve public safety.
“Concerned citizens and people with experience in security, logistics and intelligence carried out a thorough assessment and developed a thorough analysis of the security crisis in the country and declining State capacity and proposed a novel approach and action plan to address the rising state of insecurity in the country,” he further said.
According to Bugaje, the Conference worked through the syndicate system that engaged in the work and reported to plenary, saying that, the syndicates were on the Boko Haram insurgency, Ethno-religious conflicts, farmer-herder conflicts. rural banditry and communal Conflicts, Kidnapping and Armed Robbery, Urban Youth Violence and Drugs and Regional Diplomacy.
“Nigeria and the North, in particular, is characterised by deep structural challenges that have created vulnerabilities and push towards conflicts and rising violence. Poverty has been growing and deepening over the past decade while inequality and conspicuous consumption of the rich, with doubtful source of funds, is creating anger among the people.
“Northern Nigeria has the highest population growth rate in the contemporary world which has created a huge youth bulge confronted by unemployment and underemployment.
“The family is in crisis and high poverty levels have created a significant push factor leading to poor families stepping away from their responsibility for good parenting.
“The rise of new religious movements has affected socialisation and religious education within the family creating a crisis of values
“Meanwhile, social cohesion and family life are being torn apart by a serious and growing problem of drug addiction. He further said
According to him, “Specific recommendations in respect of all the seven syndicate groups have been
made and submitted for necessary action.”
