By CHIDINMA EWULONU-ALUKO

The Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday cautioned governments at all levels to curb the invasion of communities by gunmen, lest the people resort to self-help.

The branch’s Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Lawal, cautioned in a statement issued in Ibadan to address the abduction of teachers and students at Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that gunmen invaded two schools at Ahoro-Esinele community in the LGA on May 15, killing an assistant head teacher and a commercial motorcyclist.

Lawal said if governments failed to act proactively to protect lives and property, the people would be forced to defend themselves against criminals strolling into their communities to perpetrate evil.

“The ease with which criminals attack communities and escape justice should be a source of great concern to us all.

“This is not the time to allow partisan politics to compel complacent inaction, compromises and subterfuge,” he said.

The branch chairman said that the branch was joining other well-meaning Nigerians to condemn the savagery at Oriire LGA.

“It is heart-wrenching to rehash the gory details in the yet-to-be foreclosed tragedy which befell teachers and their pupils at the hands of these marauders.

“May the souls of the departed rest in peace,” Lawal said.

He expressed deep displeasure at the seemingly tardiness associated with the government’s rescue mission, since the unfortunate incident occurred over ten days ago.

He added that it was reasonable to expect that the latest assault on civility would be confronted headlong.

“The deafening silence attending the activities aimed at liberating the captives does not inspire hope; we shudder to imagine the horrible experiences to which the victims are being subjected at the moment.

“While it may be strategic to keep from public scrutiny specific details concerning the tactics being adopted to bring foreclosure to this unfortunate incident, the characteristic silence of the government has been disquieting,” he said.

According to the NBA branch chairman, barbarism must not be allowed to have a foothold in an erstwhile peaceful environment.

“We must not allow this latest incident to be added to the consistently growing list of unresolved horrendous crimes perpetrated against the hapless people of this country.

“The perpetrators of this attack and their sponsors must be unmasked,” he said.

Lawal stressed the need for government at different levels to act in earnest to confront the menace.

He said this was not the time for government functionaries to present bland platitudes as reassurance.

He urged the Oyo State Government to take a keen interest in the ceaseless influx of people into the state, particularly regulating the operations of commercial motorcyclists (Okada).

“Functionaries of government must see beyond revenue generation; a suspension of their operations for a stipulated period to ascertain the identity of the operators should be considered.

“The constant dumping of young people with no traceable links to residents of the state must be curbed, if we are to avert a looming danger.

“Forest reserves must be combed thoroughly to flush out all undesirable elements,” Lawal said. (NAN)

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