Insecurity and killing of Nigerians from across the 6 geo-political zones are gradually becoming a norm in Nigeria. We cannot explain how we got here as a nation, but there have been agitations and insurgency attacks, including a demand for self-rule. The government has continued to ignore these agitations and the increasing signs of fundamentalism sweeping across the country. This agitation has continued and currently leading to chaos and a state of lawlessness. Vision Spring Initiatives and other well-meaning Nigerians are still mourning the demise of the late Deborah Samuel, and Sunday-David Umoh, the 37-year-old sound engineer who was lynched and burnt by irate motorcycle operators at Admiralty Way, Lekki-Lagos. A few days later, a lawmaker representing Governor Soludo’s constituency in Aguata North, in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Okechukwu Okoye, and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka were abducted on May 15, 2022. Six days later, on Saturday, May 21, 2022, Okechukwu Okoye’s head was found in Chisco Park Amichi, in the Nnewi south local government area, Anambra state.
According to data released by the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST), At least 2,968 people were killed while 1,484 were abducted in Nigeria from January to March 2022.
This has gone too far, we need answers, now. The perpetrators and those sponsoring this unrest must be held accountable for their actions. We need answers, now.
Unfortunately, nobody is safe. We, therefore, make the following demands from the government:
The government should declare a state of emergency in the security sector in order to curb the violence plaguing the nation.
The government should tighten border patrol and put an end to the importation of firearms
The government should as a matter of urgency engage in a national dialogue.
Perpetrators of violence and those inciting violence of any kind should be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others
The government should as a matter of urgency set up structures to defend Nigerians from these incessant attacks.
The security agencies should facilitate intelligence-driven policing that will leverage all available mediums such as technology in proper investigative analyses of criminal activities.
We are also appealing to the security and government agencies to be accountable in their offices of operation. They owe this to us in every sphere.
We expect this to be treated with the utmost attention.
Signed
Vision Spring Initiatives
May 27, 2022