TheCable

The Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) has asked the federal government to declare a state of emergency on security in the country.

The CDD said this in a statement signed by Idayat Hassan, its director, on Wednesday.

CDD’s statement followed the kidnapping of 27 students and 15 others from Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state on Wednesday.

“Nigeria has to come to terms that she has a huge security problem on her hands and act decisively. The country has to declare a state of emergency on insecurity across board. And must synergise efforts with our sub-nationals. There must be an agreement for instance on no ransom, no amnesty policy as they fight with boots on the ground,” Idayat said.

“The war needs both a kinetic and non-kinetic approach but the non-kinetic approach must not be one that priorities amnesty and paying bandits for their guns et al. The time is now, and this is serious, very serious actually.”

The senate on Wednesday also asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on security following a motion sponsored by Mohammed Sani Musa, senator representing Niger east.

Idayat in the statement asked the federal government to do everything in its power to ensure the unconditional release of the students.

“From Chibok to Dapchi to Kankara and now to Kagara. This callous act of abducting school children has to stop. Our children and their parents cannot continue to live in fear in their pursuit of education and a better life,” she said.

“The continued abduction of school children from places of learning is evidence that the government has failed in this particular role to protect the people especially for the school children in states across the nation. While our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the abducted ones, we call on the Nigerian government to rise to the occasion and ensure their unconditional release as the primary constitutional role of government at all level is to guarantee the protection of lives and property of citizens – school children inclusive.”

The director lamented that kidnapping of schoolchildren has become a means for criminals to get money from the government.

She called on the government and all stakeholders to assure every Nigerian child of his or her safety by making sure that requisite measures are put in place to prevent such occurrences.