*Says two major wars gradually threatening global peace and security

The Alumni Association of National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), has cautioned nations that are promoting on-going wars between Israel and Palestine as well as that between Ukraine and Russia.

In a statement signed Saturday by its President, Barrister Mike Ejiofor, a former director of Department of State Security Service (DSS), the association expressed worries that two major wars in the world – the Russian/Ukraine war and that between Israel and Palestine, are gradually threatening global peace and security.

“This is a dangerous development as the world is gradually becoming polarized along religious and geopolitical lines.

“The leadership and indeed the entire membership of AANISS, like all well- meaning and responsible members of the security and intelligence community in Nigeria, has been very uncomfortable with the on-going escalation of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

“The association is strategically positioned as a partner in our collective desire to build and develop a united Nigerian nation, as well as promote global peace and security.

“It is on the above premise that we, as an association, wishes to register our displeasure over the current war between Palestine and Israel that has resulted in the death of thousands of people and colossal destruction of property and critical assets on both sides.”

Ejiofor said the association believed that war does not solve any problem and there is no place in history where war has provided solutions to human challenges and disputes.

“War is a dangerous seed that germinates in due season. Dialogue has always been the most civil approach.”

The body therefore called on nations that are either directly or indirectly involved in or promoting the wars in the two regions to have a rethink.

It also called on the United Nations and all other international and regional bodies to expedite actions to ensure ceasefire and bring these wars to an end.

“The peace process must commence in earnest. The plights of victims of these wars which include humanitarian crisis, environmental hazards as well as health challenges should be on the front burner.

“We are calling on all parties in the ongoing wars to respect subsisting United Nations resolutions that are intended to ensure peaceful resolutions of the conflict as well as obey necessary war protocols.

“At the national front, the AANISS is worried at the height of unguarded statements from some of our religious leaders who are likely to create religious crises here in Nigeria.

“Religious leaders are to be seen as agents of peace and not campaigners of war. It is on this note that we wish to appeal to all to exercise restraint in their comments on the ongoing wars.

“Our concern as human beings should be to see how we can stop this war and not to inflame it further. Our contributions should be towards addressing the humanitarian crisis ravaging the nations

“Finally, we wish to appeal to all relevant security and intelligence agencies in Nigeria, to ensure that the activities of individuals and groups do not cause security breach in our country, even as we also grapple with our economic, social and security problems.