Borno, Katsina, Kaduna abductions: Release all hostages in the spirit of Ramadan, Foundation begs
Kalthum Foundation for Peace on Friday made a passionate appeal to the abductors of IDPs and innocent women and children in Borno, Katsina and Kaduna States to peacefully release their hostages in the spirit of Ramadan and for the sake of Allah.
The appeal which was rendered in Fulfulde and Hausa languages was made during a World Press Conference convened by the Foundation’s president, Ambassador Ummu Kalthum.
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Kalthum said it was imperative for all diplomatic measures to be adopted to ensure the peaceful return of all abducted persons to their families.
She said it was in that light that the Foundation remained steadfast in their commitment to promoting dialogue, understanding, and non-violent conflict resolution.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Nigeria, advocating for a future where security, prosperity, and harmony prevail.”
The Foundation decried the deteriorating state of things and the escalating insecurity, rampant kidnappings, alarming school, and IDP abductions, which it described as a plague and threat to the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians.
“Today, we gather to address a pressing issue that has plagued Nigeria in recent years: the escalating insecurity, rampant kidnappings, and alarming school and IDP abductions that threaten the safety and well-being of our nation’s people.
“Nigeria, a country rich in resources and potential, finds itself grappling with profound challenges stemming from insecurity, kidnapping, and school abductions.
“Despite the substantial allocation of resources and deployment of manpower to combat this menace, the disturbing trends persist unabated.
“Numerous joint operations and exercises involving the military and sister agencies have been undertaken, yet the situation remains dire. As stakeholders, we are not only concerned but deeply worried,” she said.
Kalthum acknowledged that factors contributing to the insecurity crisis include the activities of armed opposition groups like Boko Haram in the Northeastern region, conflicts between herders and farmers, widespread banditry in the Northwest and Central areas, and a pervasive presence of criminal elements.
She further stated that the lack of effective law enforcement and weak deterrence mechanisms, coupled with widespread poverty, high unemployment rates, and escalating ethnic and religious tensions, had exacerbated the security landscape.
“ Since the abduction of over 276 Chibok School Girls in 2014 by the Boko haram sect, abductions have become a common place in Nigeria and carried out not just by armed religious zealots, but criminal gangs.
“The rising spate of this criminal enterprise can be attributed partly to the failing economic policies that have made life difficult for ordinary citizens and on the whole, sponsors who take advantage of the already porous security situation thereby aggravating it further.
“ Last year alone, over 4000 persons were abducted in various parts of the country.
“Regrettably, recent weeks have witnessed a distressing surge in school abductions across Northern Nigeria. Criminal elements exploit vulnerable schools, IDPs, and the vulnerable in remote areas, in states like Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Borno, just to mention but a few.
“These heinous acts not only disrupt the education system but also sow fear and anxiety among students, parents, and entire communities
“ It is disheartening to report that over 500 school children have fallen victim to these armed groups in various regions of the country.”
The foundation president implored the Nigerian government and the joint security council to overhaul their strategies and intensify efforts to break this vicious cycle of violence and lawlessness, adding that it was time for decisive action.
“The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must adopt proactive measures to address the root causes of insecurity, enhance law enforcement and intelligence capabilities, and bolster efforts to safeguard the lives and properties of all Nigerians.
“It is crucial that concrete steps be taken to restore peace and stability across the nation.”
Kalthum also appealed for genuine international cooperation and support to combat terrorism and violent crime within Nigeria, stressing that in a globalized world, the fight against such threats transcends borders, necessitating a united front to eradicate these evils and restore peace to our communities.
