A frontline civil society organisation, Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) has distanced itself from calls by some Nigerians for the sack of the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
The group alleged that those opposed to leadership abilities of the two officers are using the cover of insecurity, especially the recent abductions across the northern part of the country to push their narrative even though insecurity in Nigeria started long before the duo were appointed.
In a statement by Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince and Comrade Igwe Ude-umanta; National Coordinator and Secretary of EUYI respectively, the rights group maintained that, at this point in time, politics must put aside and collaboration encouraged to tackle Nigeria’s multidimensional insecurity.
According to the release: “There has been an intirnsified campaign to effect a change in the leadership of both the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the National Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC). This has been on for a while and has manifested in different forms and strategies. But there has not been any concrete ground to meaningfully advance the plot, so it simmered down considerably.
“However, with the recent unfortunate security breaches, leading to the kidnap and killing of worshippers in Eruku, Kwara Stae, the abduction of students and staff in Government Girls Comprehensive Secretary School, Maga, Kebbi State, and students of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Agwara, Niger State, a sufficient excuse to resuscitate the plot seem to have been found, even as majority of those abducted have been rescued.
“While we condemn these incidents and urge all security agencies to work by in synergy to rescue the remaining compatriots held hostage and also eliminate or arrest their abductors, it is common knowledge that insecurity in Nigeria has a history beyond any of the security chiefs in service today as well as the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It is therefore, imperative to say that this is not the time for politics and schemes to remove or sack those offering patriotic security services to the nation but a moment for collaboration and support for the security forces. This is because, the recent change in the leadership of the military, while welcomed, has not immediately stopped terrorism and banditry.
“This is a work in progress as sustainable efforts are underway to end insecurity in Nigeria and we believe that President Tinubu has all the needed security briefs and will not hesitate to sack any of the chiefs that is not leaving up to their mandate. Resorting to blackmail and campaign of calumny or civil society harassment cannot help the situation.
“Nigerians should be united in seeking solutions at this time. Both the IGP and CG of NSCDC are doing great jobs. They need to be empowered to discharge their duties. Already, the NSCDC is recruitment to boost manpower needs. Similar recruitment across our security agencies will go a long way “.
EUYI also commended Mr. President for “directing the withdrawal of policemen attached to VIPs so that they can return to core police duties and a directive for the recruitment of additional 30,000 policemen as well as his commitment to upgrade facilities at Police Training colleges across the country”.
The group concluded by reiterating their outright rejection and association with any attempt to “garner the support of Civil Society Organizations to join the call for the sack of these hardworking Nigerian officers, who, even in the face of blatant blackmail have not rested on their oars in addressing any manifest challenge under their purview”.
