Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD a pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group has condemned the kidnap of a Methodist Church Prelate, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu-Uche, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark and Very Rev. Abidemi Jeremiah Shittu who were abducted along Leru Umuchieze in Isuochi LGA of Abia State.
While celebrating their release as well, FENRAD took a swipe at the state and federal governments for failing to live up to their responsibility of providing security to the people of Nigeria.
In a statement on Tuesday by Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the Executive Director and Barr. Akande Femisi, Head Corporate Accountability and Human Rights Enforcement of FENRAD, they urged the governments to do more in ensuring that recurrent cases of abduction for ransom is reduced in the country.
The Foundation further urged that security should be beefed up around the affected areas in Abia, Enugu and Imo where there is constant incidents of kidnapping.
“FENRAD condemns the kidnap outright and joins Christians and people of goodwill all over the world in celebrating their safe return from abductors’ den. Having so stated, FENRAD wishes to tell the governments of Abia State and that of the federation that time now is to beef up security around that axis (the kidnap scene). Local intelligence abound about how certain spots between Abia and Enugu and Imo states have become hotbed of kidnap with no meaningful action coming from state government and actors. The Foundation in a certain release last year decried the festival of kidnap that once played out along Akara-Isuikwuato-Uturu axis which affected students of Abia State University. The Foundation up till now still wonders why that menace has not been contained nor abated as recent happenings show students were kidnapped a few months ago at the same scene.
“The gory details painted by those who survived kidnap by a whisker along Lokpanta axis is not one any responsible government can afford to sleep at the wheel over. Arondizogu expressway too is a serious security concern; in fact, motorists prefer longer and tortuous routes to that corridor just to avoid danger. The impact of all this is already telling on the economy as local produce (mostly agricultural) can no longer find market in towns or neighbouring states” it says.
It expressed reservation whether Nigeria is heading to a failed state as being postulated and wondered why the military stationed around Uturu community have failed in clamping down on perpetrators of incessant abductions.
It added, “The Foundation calls on governments (all three tiers), traditional rulers, locals and natives, the security agencies, non-state actors and the general public to work concertedly towards ending this menace; to increase intelligence sharing and exchanges. This should be a lesson enough, the Foundation says.
“Again, FENRAD recalls the recent protest by Uturu indigenes against the growing spate of kidnap-for-ransom with the military and other paramilitary formations stationed in their town unable to do a thing. This calls for concern as to whether Nigeria is indeed heading towards a failed state category as postulated by some.
“The notice served on us all with this recent development is that there is no safety here. It speaks to the fact that government has failed in its duty – of protecting lives and property of citizens, which is, to say the least, the most fundamental of all its obligations. We wish never to live in societies where governments fail in this primary duty, and would be willing to partner with government in this regard and respect.
“Lastly, the Foundation joins the Methodist Church family, Christians and people of goodwill in celebrating this safe return and urges governments to up their game in the security delivery. May this be the last straw.“
