Not too long ago, major, concerned stakeholders in Oyo state gathered in protests against the rising incidences of kidnapping, especially of children. BAYO AGBOOLA reports.
The ripples over increasing waves of kidnapping of children in and across Nigeria came to limelight in Ibadan recently as members of non-government organisations like the Child Protection Network (CPN) and other stakeholders comprising Association of Orphanages & Home Operators In Nigeria (ASOHON), Association Against Child & Sexual – Based Violence (AACGBV), Association for Orphans & Vulnerable Children in Nigeria (AONN), Association of Women Orientations for Sustainable Development in Nigeria (AWON), Network Against Child Trafficking & Labour (NACTAL), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Civil Society Network for Peace and Restorative Justice ( CSNPRJ), Community Chest Council (CCC) and the National Council of Women Societies ( NCWS) took to the streets for a peaceful protest to condemn the menace that had become like a daily occurrence in the state and many parts of Nigeria.
Going by the mobilisation and coordination of the well- attended peaceful protest held at the popular Total Garden area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, kidnapping of children, among others, has become a major cankerworm in the country which the government, stakeholders and Nigerians in general must rise up against and find a lasting solution to without wasting time.
This is because it has turned out to be a cause for worry, a major dent and embarrassment to Nigerians and the country in general.
Stakeholders drum it loud
With the stakeholders at the peaceful protest, mincing no words in totally condemning the incessant and wanton kidnapping of children across Nigeria, Oyo state coordinator of Child Protection Network (CPN) Mrs Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe, during the peaceful protest, declared that the protest became necessary to task major stakeholders including the government, public spirited individuals, religious/ community leaders and families in and across the country to speak up against the aberration and as well rise up to the occasion by standing against kidnapping of children and say ‘no’ to the menace.
It noted that the recent kidnapping of at least 287 school children by armed gunmen in LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga village of Kaduna’s Chikun district was highly worrisome and that such occurrences has to be stopped at all cost.
Mrs Ogedengbe stressed that contrary to the notion that such occurrences only take place in the north, she said the recent record of such in Ekiti state is a clear indication that the life of all child matters. She therefore called on the government at all levels to put mechanisms and structures in place to ensure the security of not only the children, but all and sundry while government should do more by increasing the budget and allocations of funds geared towards providing efficient and effective security equipment for combating terrorism and kidnapping.
She emphasised that the case of Chibok school girls abductors who are yet to be apprehended almost nine years after stands as an indication that government still has so much to do in making sure that the lives of all Nigerians is secured.
Reps of many associations speak
The Oyo state CPN coordinator however charged all Nigerians to join the fight against kidnapping of children by staying vigilant and report whoever is involved and aiding or abating the practice of kidnapping children to the law enforcement agencies.
The representative of National Human Right Commission, Mr Babatunde Onilari, while speaking noted that the pressure of existing or impending kidnapping is becoming unbearable for families; hence the need for the Northern Leaders Forum, Northern Governors Forum and the Northern Senators Forum to speak out against it. On her part, the executive director of Youth Care Development and Empowerment Initiative, Dr Adefunke Ekine advised government to nip the incidence of kidnapping in the bud, adding that the so-called benefit accruing from the nefarious practice is what is still keeping it going. Also, the executive director of Child Development and Concern Foundation, Alhaji Iskil Yusuf stressed that the continued re-occurrence of child kidnapping 10 years after that of the Chibok school girls was alarming and a clarion call for government to wake from its slumber and ensure necessary actions are taken to bring kidnapping to a close in Nigeria.
The Child Protection Network, Oyo state chapter, in collaboration with All Child Rights Advocates and Human Rights Stakeholders in the state in a jointly signed statement titled: ‘The Unacceptable Grave Silence and Continuous Abduction of Children in Nigeria – Kaduna and Ekiti States on Our Minds’ strongly condemned the continued captivity of the over 200 children from Kaduna state in the kidnappers dens. It lamented that, “While Nigerian security organisation remained in- eflective, kidnappers and criminals continue to thrive, perpetuating illegal activities in Nigeria.
“We are using this medium to call on the Northern Governors Forum, Northern Senators Forum, Governors Forum and the Presidency to compel the security agencies to go into immediate action. It is imperative to swiftly secure the release of these children and stem the tide of kidnapping and general insecurity in Nigeria which has tarnished the nation’s dignity and integrity. We also urge the governors of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos states to address the escalating insecurity in the South-west states which poses a growing threat to the safety of our children and families.”
According to them, “In the current Nigerian context, where families already grapple with economic challenges, the burden of insecurity is intolerable for our children. We implore well-meaning Nigerians of our demands and help to eliminate kidnappings and insecurity issues. This could be effectively addressed by a well, appropriately equipped and willing security agencies.
“Furthermore, we propose several protection measures such as deploying security officials in all schools, establishing safety clubs in schools, implementing information alert systems and establishing early warning systems in all schools.”
There is no doubt in the fact that Nigeria as a country is facing various challenges particularly in the security sector which gave birth to kidnapping in general. It is hoped that with the advocacy and needed support of all Nigerians irrespective of the tribe, culture or religious affinity, the country would sooner than later overcome the challenges and it shall be well with the country again.
It is also hoped that other stakeholders in the country would sooner than later rise up and join in the fight against the various challenges presently facing the country which are working against the growth and stability of the county.
