In spite of the spirited efforts of the security forces to contain the murderous activities of Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, armed bandits and killer herdsmen terrorising parts of the North-West, North-East and North-Central, there appears to be no end in sight to the worsening insecurity in the country.
Contrary to the expectations of many Nigerians, armed robbery has assumed a more alarming dimension and kidnappers appear to hold sway in most parts of the country, giving millions of peace-loving and law-abiding citizens cause for anxiety.
As much as we commend the security forces for their role in the fight against terrorism and by implication, their relentless efforts to tackle the number one challenge facing the nation, we equally implore the Federal Government to ensure that they are sufficiently equipped the with the right tools, particularly modern and sophisticated weapons, to combat crime and to effectively put an end to the activities of criminals currently operating across the country.
While the security forces, particularly the Nigerian Army, continue to do their best to ensure that normalcy returns to parts of the country weighed down by insecurity, the security situation in the South-West also calls for concern.
A few weeks ago, some motorists were reportedly kidnapped at different points on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. A Lagos-bound Toyota Sienna car was reportedly attacked by kidnappers who suddenly emerged from the bush at the Onigaari end of the expressway and started shooting sporadically. A commercial driver, identified as Oluwatosin Aruwajoye, was killed in the process and five passengers abducted by the gunmen. One of the passengers, known as Ibrahim Tiamiyu, was shot in the thigh and another narrowly escaped.
In a similar development, some motorists were kidnapped in different parts of Ekiti State, just as a combined team of policemen and operatives of regional security outfit, Amotekun, arrested a gang of kidnappers in Ondo State.
The incidents, including some cases reported between January 8 and 17, have left motorists and other road users in parts of the South-West more apprehensive and cautious about plying certain roads within the region.
The spate of attacks and kidnapping on some major roads in the South-West, especially the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway calls for the attention of the security agencies, considering its importance as a major link between Lagos and other parts of the country.
While we appreciate the efforts of the men of the Nigerian Police, especially the Anti- Kidnapping Squads of the Nigeria police commands in Oyo and Ogun States, as well as the joint patrol operations of the Amotekun, local hunters and the police which recently resulted in the arrest of some kidnappers, we are of the opinion that such joint efforts should be sustained.
We call for a similar intervention in major roads in the South-West. The situation should not be allowed to degenerate to the level of attacks previously witnessed on the Abuja- Kaduna Expressway, which forced many motorists to abandon the road.
We also appeal to the governors of South-West states under the chairmanship of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State to continue to give adequate support to the Amotekun. The governors should also endeavour to monitor the influx of non-Nigerians to the South-West as most of them have no jobs and they may become ready tools for criminal activities.
We equally implore the citizens to adequately monitor their sorroundings and report suspicious movements to the security agencies. A stitch in time saves nine.
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