Insecurity: LAWSAN Urges Service Chiefs And Security Agencies To Live Up To Their Responsibilities

The Law Students Association of Nigeria, LAWSAN, has expressed concern over the security situation of the country.

LAWSAN, in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer signed by its National President, Blessing Agbomhere, condemned the activities of gunmen, terrorists and bandits and further described the situation as an attempt to cause civil unrest in the country

The Association called on President Buhari, Service Chiefs, and Security Agencies to rise to the occasion to save the lives and properties of citizens

Read the statement below:

Law Students’ Association of Nigeria, LAWSAN is concerned about the spate of attacks, kidnaps and killings in Bornu, Imo, Kaduna, Benue, Plateau States and other parts of the country, which has resulted in lives being wasted on daily basis.

We vehemently condemn the activities of unknown gunmen, Boko Haram terrorists and bandits, whose actions are clearly calculated to create an atmosphere of civil unrest.

As an Association, our hope lies in government to provide permanent solutions that will protect the lives and property of all Nigerians, regardless their tribe, religion and skill colour.

The Federal Government has the duty to protect the people of this country. It is audible to the deaf, and visible to the blind that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) inter cetera, in Section 14(2) directed unambiguously and unequivocally that, ‘The security and welfare of the citizens shall be the primary function of the government.’

It cannot be debated that the systematic neglect of youths over the years through lack of social and financial incentives, scholarships and skills acquisition support, have resulted in mass unemployment and distortion of the social fabric.

It is worrisome that no part of the country is spared with the instability and insecurity that has ravaged Nigeria. Insecurity is now evident in all parts of the country. More alarming in recent times is the surge of attacks on security personnel; kidnap and killing of students, killing of uniformed officers, attack and burning of Police formations, prison breaks, all of which presents a dismal picture of a seriously haemorrhaging, broken and unstable polity.

Like a farmer who wants ‘abono para plantas’ must plant and nurse in the right season, we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to invoke necessary constitutional powers to ensure the security of lives and property of all citizens.

The Federal Government, Service Chiefs, and security agencies must take urgent action to restore the confidence of the people in the security forces. They must take responsibilities, and live up to their duties.

Men and women whose children have met their untimely death in the hands of the gunmen, both known and unknown, should be consoled, not just with cash and cowries, but by ensuring their is adequate security for their continuous survival. Same applicable to widows and widowers whose spouses have met their untimely death.

Dr. Blessing Agbomhere,
National President, Law Students’ Association of Nigeria.