Ayu: We are in a war situation in Nigeria

The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has said that it is unfortunate that the country seems to be in a war situation under the administration of a retired general.

He said this at the weekend at the party’s headquarters in Abuja while speaking with journalists.

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The former Senate President, who said the level of insecurity under the watch of a retired general was threatening the foundation and unity of the country, rued the intractable banditry, killings and kidnappings.

He said the PDP provided security for the citizens when it was in power and called on the electorate to rally around the party in 2023 so as to save the country from further security threats.

“We are virtually in a war situation in Nigeria today.

“We are fighting bandits, we are fighting kidnappers, we are fighting all sorts of bandits and extremists who are killing, raping our mothers and daughters.

“None of you can sleep with your eye open or closed because you are always wondering whether you are going to make it to the next day.

“You have to keep on highlighting these problems because the government has the fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and properties.

“We have a retired General as President and we thought these things will improve.

“We don’t need to talk as a political party or as an opposition, but you know exactly what is happening in our country is threatening even the very unity and existence of our country,” he said.

At least, 20 villagers were killed when bandits raided villages in the Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The villages attacked were Kauran Fawa, Marke and Riheya villages in Idasu, Giwa.

The state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, houses, trucks, and cars were also burnt, along with agricultural produce at various farms.

Also on Sunday, the Chairman, Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State, Danjuma Suleiman Nalango, ordered the closure of all public and private primary, secondary and tertiary schools in the local government area over a planned banditry attack on schools to abduct school children in Zungeru and neighbouring communities.

The Council Chairman said there was an intelligence report by the security agencies that armed bandits in their numbers were planning to strike in the day at Niger State Polytechnic and Government Girls Day Secondary School, both located in the outskirt of Zungeru town.

Also in Kano, a gang of armed robbers, on Saturday, attacked the Sabon Gari area along Cakwaya road, in Rano Local Government Area, operating for over three hours.