KILLINGS: Please show more concern, CAN urges Buhari

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to show more commitment at addressing killings of innocent Nigerians by herdsmen, bandits and other criminal elements.

The Christian body said the President should show more concern over rampant killings of Nigeria by not “just sending the police or army to those communities, but also ensure they get those killing people arrested.”

President of CAN, Samson Ayokunle, stated this weekend during an interface with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Jalingo, Taraba State capital.

Ayokunle, who expressed dismay at day-to-day stories of killings of Nigerians by different criminal elements, which has led to the displacement of thousands of citizens from their ancestral homes in different parts of the country, said it was high time sates are allowed to have their own police or security outfits.

Noting that Nigerians are at the mercy of killer herdsmen, bandits, kidnappers and their likes, Ayokunle said state police will help to ensure adequate protection of lives and property of the citizens.

He also called on the government to set up an inquiry into the proliferation of arms in the country, wondering why there are unknown gunmen everywhere in the country.

“The people that are attacked know those attacking them but what they don’t know are those equipping their attackers with ammunition.

“I have taken this matter to Mr. President at Aso Rock several times, and I am just pleading that Mr. President would show more concern by not just sending the police or army to those communities, but also ensure they get those killing people arrested.

“As we have always said,   the time is more than ripe for each state and community to have its own security outfit like other developed nations.

“It is high time we do an appraisal on how we have been doing things and how things are supposed to be done,” he said.

Speaking, Taraba State coordinator of IDPs, Dauda Goding, lamented the deplorable conditions displaced persons are subjected to, adding that many of them have started dying in their various camps.

READ ALSO: Buhari reacts to Taraba, Adamawa clashes

According to him, no fewer than 11 IDPs had lost their lives since January. Noting that their ancestral homes are still not safe, he called for more security presence to enable them return home.

He said, “Our current condition as displaced persons for more than one year is becoming unbearable and we are tired of begging because we are not lazy people.”

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