Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State Chapter, has again expressed worry over the state of insecurity in the country, particularly kidnappings and killings of innocent citizens and urged the federal government to tackle the menace headlong.
The association has also called on the federal government to find the missing journalist, Tordue Salem, whose whereabouts is yet unknown several weeks after he went missing.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday, the State Chapter Chairman, Revd. Akpen Leva, regretted the incessant killings and the worthlessness of life especially in the hands of trigger ready herdsmen and kidnappers.
He also lamented that Nigerians were no longer sleeping with their two eyes closed.
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He also stated that the incessant insecurity has left millions of Benue indigenes in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, adding that such development should worry any responsible government.
CAN also decried the incessant kidnapping or outright killing of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members saying it is not only condemnable but also retrogressive.
The association called on the federal government to provide adequate security for corps members both on their way to the camps, places of primary assignments and while serving their fatherland.
CAN commended the state Government for coming up with a legislation which birthed the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards (BSCVG), saying in addition to protecting lives and property, BSCVG has given the local people who were once regarded as idle people a sense of belonging and the privilege to provide useful services to their father land.
CAN, while giving its full support to the law, urged all stakeholders in the Benue project including traditional rulers, religious leaders and everyone to get involved and play their respective roles in ensuring the success of BSCVG.
“Let me re-echo that we are all involved, after all, security is our collective problem and together, we can tackle it. While we appreciate the state government and those who have volunteered to participate as members, we are not going to leave them alone. We are all working together to ensure the success of the volunteer guards.
“Our concern majorly is not to engage criminals under whatever guise but to enable the Benue people go to bed with both eyes closed and continue with their farming activities.
“This is why we insist that those involved in animal husbandry should take to ranching while those in banditry and kidnapping among other vices should repent or look for safe haven elsewhere other than Benue State,” Leva said.
