Once again, Nigeria finds itself gripped by a sickening cycle of violence, fear, and anguish. Distressing reports have emerged of armed bandits abducting hundreds of innocent students and civilians across multiple states, shattering any illusion of security or normalcy.
Recently over 280 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA primary school at Kuriga, Kaduna State were abducted by bandits.
Also, suspected terrorists attacked the Buda community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting about 61 people.
Not done yet,200 women were reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in the Gamboru-Ngala and Dikwa local government areas of Borno State.
The women, who were Internally Displaced Persons, were said to have been kidnapped while they went into the bush in search of firewood.
No fewer than 50 persons, including a family of seven, were feared dead following the invasion of the Gbagir community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, by suspected armed militia.
As these blood-chilling scenario unfold, the merchants of death reportedly struck in Gidan Bakuso in Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State, abducting about 15 Tsangaya students, with several others missing.
In the considered opinion of this newspaper, these horrific incidents are not isolated anomalies; they are the latest chapters in Nigeria’s long-running tragedy of insecurity.
For far too long, the nation has bled as its citizens are subjected to the brutality of terrorists, bandits, and militant groups who operate with impunity.
The recent surge in kidnappings and violence has reignited a justifiable outrage among Nigerians, who have endured empty promises and inadequate responses from those entrusted with their protection.
It is time, in our opinion, for a seismic shift in the approach to combating this scourge. President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited a crisis of monumental proportions, one that threatens to undermine even the most well-intentioned economic reforms and foreign investment drives.
In our view, no matter how impressive his agenda might be, history will judge this presidency by its ability to restore a semblance of peace and security to a beleaguered nation.
The president’s resolute stance against paying ransoms to secure the release of abducted victims is a commendable one. It aligns with the standard practices of governments worldwide and sends an unequivocal message that Nigeria will not capitulate to the demands of terrorists and bandits.
However, this principled position must be bolstered by a comprehensive and unwavering strategy to dismantle these criminal networks, leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of their complete eradication.
Negotiations with bandits and terrorists are not only futile but also counterproductive. Such dialogues only embolden these groups, portraying the government as weak and susceptible to coercion.
We insist that Nigeria cannot afford to project an image of capitulation or compromise when confronting those who have waged a relentless campaign of terror against the people.
The time for negotiations has passed; what is required now is a decisive and overwhelming response that leaves no doubt about the state’s resolve to crush these forces of evil.
To achieve this, the Tinubu administration must spare no effort in fortifying and empowering the nation’s security apparatus. This means providing the brave men and women in uniform with the necessary resources, training, and intelligence capabilities to take the fight to the enemy’s doorstep.
Moreover, we must address the root causes that have allowed these threats to fester. Poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and a sense of disenfranchisement have historically provided fertile ground for the recruitment and radicalization of disaffected youth.
A comprehensive counter-insurgency strategy must prioritize development initiatives, educational programs, and job creation efforts in vulnerable communities, denying these criminal elements the ability to exploit societal grievances for their nefarious ends.
Undoubtedly, the road ahead will be arduous, fraught with challenges and sacrifices. But the alternative – a Nigeria held hostage by the whims of terrorists and bandits – is simply unacceptable.
We are a nation of resilience and strength, a people who have overcome daunting obstacles time and again. Now is the moment to channel that indomitable spirit into a united front against those who seek to tear the polity apart.
It is time President Tinubu marshaled every resource at his disposal and wage a relentless campaign against the forces of insecurity that have plagued the nation for far too long.
How long are we going to allow fear and indecision to reign, permitting these cowardly elements to hold the nation hostage indefinitely?
The choice is ours, and the time for decisive action is now. Enough is enough – Nigerians demand and deserve peace, security, and the freedom to explore their boundless potential without the specter of violence looming overhead.
