KAICIID to FG: Name Sponsors of Terrorism
A religious organization, International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, under the aegis of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, has urged the Federal Government to name the sponsors of terrorism and banditry in the country.
The call was made on Monday in Abuja at a one day round table discussion on ‘Insecurity in Nigeria and the Way Forward.’
The group further urged the President to deliberately deal with financiers of terrorism. Rev. Fr. Stephen Ojapah (MSP), the convener of the event, said it had become necessary to identify sponsors of Insecurity as they seek to destabilize the system.
He said, “Insecurity has set Nigeria on the reverse gear. Our Nation has suffered untold hardships and setbacks. Bandits and other terrorist organizations have had a field day. They are causing havoc to all citizens of this country, either directly or indirectly.
“We are going through a lot in this country. Insecurity has taken over the land. Virtually every part of the country is not safe. Our schools are not safe, and it is a source of concern for many of us. We can’t be living in a country where schools are being closed down because of Insecurity.
“How do we intend to progress? How will investors come to our land? That is worrisome. As religious leaders, we are concerned that Nigeria has been making motions without actual movements.
“We are, therefore, advising the government to go after the sponsors of Insecurity. We are aware there are people sponsoring terrorism. It’s not enough to buy Super Tucanos and gadgets while leaving the sponsors. It won’t address any security problems.
“So, let the government make public those who are supporting terrorism in this country. We need to know them and deal with them. To us, the centre of gravity for Nigeria’s Insecurity revolves around the sponsors of violence. Their motives involve destabilizing the system. It is all about power and control. There are people who have made up their minds that this country will not progress.”
On his part, the President of KAICIID Fellows Nigeria, Dr Awwal Abdulsalam, noted that the populace should be informed on what the government has been doing since it ordered the compulsory linking of all SIM cards with the National Identification Numbers, in a bid to track and arrest suspected bandits.
He added that the education system in the country had been affected by the activities of bandits, which is detrimental to the future of the Nation.
“Unsafe schools in the country are one of the devastating consequences of Insecurity in the country; it is cascading and likely to cumulative into the future. It is a very sad situation, and that is why we are adding our voices to calling on the government to solve this issue because if it continues, there is going to be a serious degeneration in our educational system. It is a very sad situation.
“Nigerians are wondering what has happened after the NCC re-registration of SIM cards and linkage with the NIN. Why are the bandits still using the telecommunication networks? Why do we even need to shut down the communication networks, if it is possible to profile who made a phone call, and at what time? People are also asking; where are the drones? Where is the national surveillance system? Bandits can be spotted wherever they are hiding even in microscopic degrees, with technology at the disposal of the government and security agencies.”
