By CHARLES IWUOHA

A pan-African students organisation, the Progressive Students Movement (PSM), has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency in Kaduna and Edo States to forestall daily killings.

The President of the group, Mr. Bestman Okereafor, made the call in a statement he issued to newsmen on Monday in Enugu.

Okereafor said that what had been ongoing in both states was to be likened to “silent civil war.”

According to him, the civil war that is ongoing in those states might blow-up to a regional or national civil war if due and necessary attention is not given to the development.

“PSM, as an organisation of progressives, condemns in totality the gruesome killings in some parts of the country most especially in Southern Kaduna.

“We believe it is time President Muhammadu Buhari declares a state of emergency in Kaduna State. Even as we implore security agents to live up to their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties across the country.

“PSM is also watching with keen interest the series of political violence ongoing in Edo State over the forthcoming gubernatorial election which has led to loss of lives and destruction of public assets.

“We consider this development as unfortunate and clear testimony that most old political leaders have failed and they are after their selfish interest and not after the best and progressive interest of the masses,” he said.

The PSM leader said that the group had observed gross violation of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines by some political parties in Edo.

“This negative action has no doubt further exposed the good people of Edo State and the country at large to high risks of contracting the deadly COVID-19.

“In lieu of this, we are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Edo State to avert further looming political and health crises,” he said.

Okereafor, however, called on Nigerian youths to focus on unseating old men in politics and governance, instead of being consistently used as agents of violence and doom by old politicians.