BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has expressed grave concern at the ethnic and religious dimensions political campaigns ahead of INEC approved time table and support for candidates are assuming.
This is as it decried the insecurity situation in the country, stressing that the unfortunate development is unacceptable particularly against the backdrop of the proportion and dimension it has assumed in the country to the extent that no one is sure of where is safe any longer.
The NUJ also said that it is worrisome that rather than address germane issues affecting Nigerians, politicians are more interested in focusing on mundane things that have no direct impact on the lives and wellbeing of the people.
National President of the Union, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, who stated these while addressing journalists in Abuja, also noted that while terrorism and banditry are ravaging most parts of the North-east, North-west and some states in the North-central geo-political zones, it is concerned at the number of kidnap cases especially in Kaduna, Zamfara and Niger states.
The UNJ national leadership also said that the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) agitation has assumed criminality that is sweeping across the South-east, particularly in Imo and Anambra states that have become notorious for disturbing trends in kidnapping and killings.
The NUJ President tasked the nation’s security agencies to rise to the occasion especially in Imo state where some arrests have been reportedly made with suspects making mind-boggling revelations.
According to Isiguzo; “Some suspects are said to be in custody, since December last year and have even allegedly mentioned names of politicians as their sponsors. Such revelations should not just be ignored.
“All those fingered as masterminds of insecurity in the area must be brought to book irrespective of who they are. We are hopeful that the IGP would address these issues as a matter of utmost national importance.
“As for Anambra, efforts must be intensified in arresting the rising crime wave in the state.
“Apart from the South East, other South-south and South-west parts of the country are not also spared of the activities of the dare devil bandits and kidnappers that kill at will thereby making nonsense of the premium value attached to human life. This cannot continue and must not be allowed to continue,” he said.
While commending the Federal Government, the Nigerian military and other security agencies for their efforts in tackling the situation, the NUJ appealed to the government not to be deterred but to continue in providing the needed support to the Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies in the fight against all forms of insecurity.
The NUJ further said that rather than think Nigeria as Nigerians, politicians are consciously dragging the people into the gulf of disunity that would not do the country any good.
Isiguzo therefore urged politicians to save the country the pains of further eroding the fragile unity of the nation but, should work towards the promotion of values that would enhance the unity and oneness of the people of Nigeria.
