From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
IGP Usman Baba Alkali
The Kogi State Inter-Religious Council, (KOSIREC), has called on the Federal Government to set up an effective committee that will fight against rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and other criminalities across the country.
The Religious Council at its meeting in Lokoja yesterday, said that the committee should be mandated to meet the people both in open and secret places, urban and local warring parties in the spirit of building a better Nigeria.
The Kogi State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Bishop John Ibenu made the call while speaking on the state of the nation during the forum.
Bishop Ibenu suggested that the Committee should include religious, youth and leaders of thought representatives who can link up with extreme groups, saying ” Force alone cannot solve all our problems”.
He said “As we are all aware, the nation is passing through a very trying period that nobody needs to enumerate one by one. When we consider the news of Kidnapping, Banditry, Regional crisis, Food security/Plight of farmers, Economic challenges among several others, we can only turn to God for mercy, forgiveness, and help.
” Comparatively, Kogi State is far ahead of the Northern States when we speak of security issues. At this point, we cannot continue to dwell on the problems but we need to come together for brainstorming and critical thinking both for our State and the Nation at large. There is nothing wrong if the solution to the myriads of the problem of the Nation comes out of Kogi State.
“The atmosphere is toxic, the social media is toxic, political tones are toxic and several utterances are counterproductive to the peace we seek just as we can see. we need to intentionally and humbly tone down all the ungodly rhetoric, condemn what needs to be condemned and open genuine doors for dialogue.”
Ibenu however called on Nigerians to be fervent in prayers, preach the fear of God and support the government genuinely to overcome the present challenges.
In his remarks, the Kogi State Chairman, Jama’tu Nasril Islam, (JNI), Ambassador Usman Bello sue for peace and unity among the people to put an end to the incessant killings in the nation.
He said everybody should be a stakeholder over insecurity bedeviling the country adding that through collective efforts, insecurity will be a thing of the past in Nigeria.
” Government alone cannot do it. The people must come together for the government to defeat this individual causing pains in our land. We thank Kogi State Government for their relentless efforts in safeguarding the lives and properties in the state. We are however using this opportunity to urge them to do more” he stated.
