By TINA TIMOTHY

Following the recent kidnap and release of His Eminence, Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu-Uche, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark and Very Rev. Abidemi Jeremiah Shittu, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) is of the opinion that the three tiers of government have failed in their most fundamental duty of protecting lives and property of citizens.

In a press statement dated May 31, 2022, signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor and Head Corporate Accountability and Human Rights Enforcement, Barr. Akande Femisi, FENRAD, while celebrating their safe return of the Prelate and other victims with him, wondered why “the festival of kidnap that once played out along Akara-Isuikwuato-Uturu axis” has not been contained nor abated and therefore urged ‘governments to up their game in the security delivery.’

The statement reads: “Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, a pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group, has condemned, in the fiercest of terms, the recent kidnap and release of Methodist Church of Nigeria Prelate, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu-Uche, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark and Very Rev. Abidemi Jeremiah Shittu who were kidnapped along Leru-Ihube road in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State.

“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, 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.

“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.

“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 the 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.”

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