… CAN calls for all-out war on criminals

… Tells govt to act fast, seek help

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-West region, has expressed concern over what it described as an alarming spate of kidnappings, banditry, and violent crimes in Southwest states and other parts of the country.

According to the Christian body, the region is gradually being encircled by growing security threats, which it stressed must be swiftly tackled.

In a statement issued by CAN Chairman, South West, Bishop Barnabas Akin-Akinsanya, the federal government was urged to declare a state of emergency on security, accelerate the creation of state police, and seek international collaboration to dismantle criminal networks terrorizing communities.

According to him, what was once considered an occasional security breach has now become a recurring national tragedy that threatens the peace, economic stability, and social cohesion of the country.

Akin-Akinsanya emphasized that the time had come for governments at all levels to move beyond rhetoric and adopt extraordinary measures to combat what it termed a national emergency.

He demanded that every available security resource, technology, and intelligence-gathering mechanism be fully deployed to combat criminal elements terrorizing communities.

The statement read in parts, “The Federal Government should immediately review and strengthen the nation’s security architecture and ensure that all security agencies are adequately equipped with modern surveillance technology, drones, intelligence systems, communication gadgets, and rapid-response capabilities necessary for effective contemporary security operations.

Given the sophisticated nature of some of these criminal networks, we urge the federal government to seek strategic technical and intelligence support from friendly nations and international security partners where necessary.

“National security should transcend pride, politics, and bureaucracy. Every legitimate avenue capable of restoring peace and security to our nation should be explored. The federal government should speed up the process of making state police a reality in this nation.

“The South-West geopolitical zone can no longer afford complacency. Our forests, highways, farms, and border communities are increasingly vulnerable to criminal infiltration. The region appears to be gradually encircled by growing security threats.

“We therefore call on the governors of the South-West states to strengthen regional security collaboration, support community-based intelligence gathering, improve surveillance, and enhance the operational effectiveness of existing security outfits.

“May God deliver our nation from the hands of evil and restore lasting peace, security, and prosperity to Nigeria.”