By Correspondent in Minna
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state chapter, has called on the Federal and state government to look into the plight of communities whose farmland and homes had been taken over by armed men suspected to be terrorist group in some parts of Niger state.
The state chairman of the association, Dr Matthias Echioda,made the call in an interview with our correspondent in Minna on Wednesday.
He said that one of the fundamental responsibilities of a government or electing leaders was to protect lives and property of citizenry, adding that any government that failed in this responsibility “cannot claim to be serving the core interest of citizenry.”
The state Chairman expressed concern that, given the manner the bandits continued their advancement into parts of the state, killing, maiming and kidnapping people only confirmed the need for the state to redouble efforts to arrest the negative trend hindering development in the state.
“The worsening security situation is very unfortunate. The bandits are taking more space amongst us, some villagers can no longer sleep in their homes and the victims who are predominantly farmers abandon their farm lands with crops un-harvested.
“Only last Sunday, a Pastor who had visited his friend in one of the affected communities was killed alongside his friends’ wife. As I am talking to you now, many people in the communities have abandoned their homes, this is not a good testimony for the government,” he said.
While pleading for holistic action to keep the bandits out of Nigerian territory, the CAN chairman however encouraged citizenry on the need to be security conscious as Yuletide is around the corner.
