By HUSSAINA YAKUBU

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation across the country, calling on the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive measures to protect lives and property.

The Council, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, lamented the increasing cases of killings, kidnappings, banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes nationwide.

According to the Council, the growing wave of insecurity has reached an alarming level, with recent mass abductions and attacks in Borno, Oyo, Niger and Zamfara states highlighting the vulnerability of communities already grappling with insecurity.

It also cited the abduction of a retired Army General and his wife in Katsina State as evidence of the depth of the security crisis confronting the nation.

The Council noted that many incidents of violence and abductions go unreported, adding that reports from security monitoring organisations and human rights groups indicated that thousands of Nigerians were affected in recent months.

It further stated that more than 1,000 persons were reportedly abducted in Northern Nigeria during the first quarter of the year alone.

“Behind each statistic lies a human story, a life cut short or disrupted, a grieving family, and a community forced to live in fear, uncertainty and insecurity,” the statement said.

The Council expressed disappointment that repeated appeals by traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders for stronger government action had yielded little improvement in the security situation.

It said Nigerians were becoming increasingly frustrated by assurances and promises that had not translated into tangible results.

“The nation is tired of speeches, promises, condolences, committees and official rhetoric not backed by action. What Nigerians need now is decisive action and measurable results,” it stated.

The Council reminded the Federal Government that ensuring the security of citizens remained its primary constitutional responsibility and urged leaders to demonstrate competence and commitment in addressing the crisis.

It stressed that no government could claim success while large parts of its territory remained vulnerable to criminal elements operating with apparent impunity.

While commending the sacrifices and patriotism of security personnel serving under difficult conditions, the Council clarified that its criticism was not directed at officers and men of the armed forces and other security agencies.

“The overwhelming majority of our men and women in uniform continue to risk their lives daily in defence of the nation, and many have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” it said.

The Council also called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds allocated to the security sector.

According to it, Nigerians deserve to know how trillions of naira appropriated for defence, intelligence gathering, military operations, procurement and logistics have been utilised over the years.

It argued that accountability and value for money were essential for restoring public confidence in government efforts to tackle insecurity.

The Council further advocated the adoption of bold and unconventional strategies to confront criminal networks, noting that existing approaches had failed to produce the desired outcomes.

It urged the government to deploy all lawful national capabilities, including intelligence, technology, inter-agency collaboration, community participation, local intelligence networks and rapid-response mechanisms.

The Council warned that Nigeria could not continue on its current trajectory, saying communities should not be left at the mercy of terrorists and criminal gangs.

It added that farmers, travellers and ordinary citizens deserved to live and carry out their activities without fear.

“The nation demands action. The time for excuses has passed. The time for demonstration of decisive and competent leadership is now,” the Council stated. (NAN)

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