Following the several reports of abductions and killings across the country, ActionAid Nigeria has called on the government at all levels to rise up to its responsibilities of protecting lives and properties and tackling insecurity in the country.
The group said it had noted an increase in insecurity across the country, particularly in the Middle Belt and Northern regions of the country, whereas, in the weeks leading to the elections, insecurity was reduced.
ActionAid while also lamenting the killing of four US Consulate workers and their Police escorts in Imo State, added that the massacre of about 130 women and children in Jos and the unending killings in Southern Kaduna, alongside the several abductions in Zamfara and other places across the nation, leave a scar on the psyche of the people and discourage foreign investments.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Ene Obi on Wednesday, the group stressed that the rise in insecurity across the country had the potential to decrease investors’ confidence in the country, thereby leading to a decline in foreign investments, especially as a new administration will be sworn in on May 29, 2023.
It pointed out that the depth of insecurity in the country required dire measures such as the use of technology for security surveillance, crime-fighting, and track and rescue, noting that the citizens are the cornerstone of the nation’s development and as such, essential to driving progress.
“The continuous rise in insecurity is dangerous to the economy and a turn-off to investors. The insecurity trend, particularly as a new administration takes over will not only decrease investors’ confidence, but it will eventually lead to a decline in foreign direct investment,” ActionAid maintained.
Therefore, the NGO called on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to wake up to their primary responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of the citizenry, insisting that, “The depth of insecurity in the nation requires deploying dire measures like the use of technology for security surveillance, crime fighting and for track and rescue”.
The group further lamented the “ugly boom” witnessed in the kidnapping industry in the country, noting that estimates showed that a whooping N5 billion naira had been paid in ransom in the last five years.
“Sadly, on the aggregate, it is estimated that over ₦5 billion was paid as ransom to kidnappers over the last five years according to SBM Intelligence, indicating that the country’s kidnapping industry is witnessing an ugly boom”, the ActionAid statement read.
While affirming that kidnapping was induced by socio-economic factors such as poverty and hunger, the group called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to relevant authorities.
“ActionAid Nigeria also affirms that kidnapping is a complex issue induced by various socio-economic factors such as hunger and poverty. Hence a comprehensive kinetic and non-kinetic approach that includes promoting digital financial transactions with the peculiarities of the rural and excluded communities considered, increased social interventions, and effective law enforcement must be deepened across the nation.
“Citizens are also enjoined to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities and individuals to the appropriate authorities while collaborating with relevant authorities to identify kidnapping risks and preventive measures within their localities,” it emphasised.
