Collaborate with security agencies to fight terror – CSOs tell Nigerians

Amid rising insecurity in Nigeria, civil society organisations, CSOs, in Akwa Ibom State have urged citizens to work with security agencies especially, in intelligence sharing to tackle terrorism.

State director of Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network, CHRAN, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, stated this on Saturday during the Akwa Ibom Unite Against Terror civic campaign organized by the organization.

Isong who regretted that terror had destroyed homes and societies described it as a common enemy to everyone as it is blind to religion, tribe or social standing.

“Terror is a common enemy to all Nigerians, it does not know religion or tribe, so as a CSO we are uniting against terrorism. If you see something, say something. Collaborate with the security agencies to fight terror. If you fail to report terror, when it takes place, it will affect you too,” he said.

Also speaking, Clifford Thomas, Esq, Convener of Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community, charged the people to look inwards and devise local means to fight terror, urging them not to wait to be slaughtered by terrorists.

Drawing reference from incidents in Bayelsa and Abia states, where community youths overpowered and neutralized assailants, Thomas urged Nigerians to use any strategy to protect themselves.

He noted that self defense is a fundamental right as stipulated in Section 33 sub-section 2 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, urging them to take advantage of that provision when faced with terror.

He also called for state policing, saying that such would curb insecurity to a large extent.

“We are all victims to terror, no one is spared. Communities must take action and report to appropriate quarters and when something is not done, look inwardly, look internally to protect your mothers, your fathers, your children and your brothers and sisters. Don’t wait for the enemy to slaughter you but that does not mean you should execute violence.

“Secondly, let all commissioners of Police return to their region. When you send an Akwa Ibom Son to the state as a commissioner of police, we know him very well and how to handle him if anything goes wrong. Besides he will want to serve his people better,” he said.

Other civil society organisation leaders who took turns to speak, including Dr Victor David of Vital Partners, said the fight against insecurity is not the responsibility of the government alone but requires the collective commitment of all citizens.

David charged Nigerians not to allow insecurity destroy their unity, determine their future or silence the young and growing democracy.

“We demand a Nigeria where every citizen can travel safely, farm safely, work safely, worship safely, and vote safely,” he added.