Kaduna school kidnapping: CAN berates FG for lip service to insecurity scourge

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the safe return of the over 140 students abducted from Bethel Baptist College, Kaduna on Monday by bandits.

The CAN President, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, made the call on Tuesday in a statement he personally signed.

• 2023: Southern governors move against Atiku, Kwankwaso, others
• Buhari, governors not at daggers drawn – APC leaders

“A government has no business shaking hands, attending international fora, sending emissaries to other countries and commissioning projects when the lives of the average citizen of its own country are greatly at stake. It is a sin and a crime against humanity to have zero regard for the lives of others or be unable to provide security for citizens.

“Kidnapping and abduction are now a thriving business in Nigeria and it is almost becoming synonymous with the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is very evident by each passing hour that this present administration is just paying lip service to the issues of security.

“Whereas, provision of adequate security for all Nigerian citizens was one of the campaigns promises of President Muhammadu Buhari, in the 2015/2019 general elections and the major reason people voted for him was being an ex-military man, the administration has failed woefully to keep campaign promise.

“The former administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was severely criticized by our present leaders for inability to curb the activities of Boko Haram, but today we are not only being harassed by Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (who recently appointed their own governor for Borno State) we are terribly traumatized by bandits, kidnappers and other criminals,” Ayokunle said.

He added that the situation in Kaduna has become quite terrible because of the uncouth, unbridled and acidic statements credited to the state Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai who appears to be talking too much than acting.

“President Muhammadu Buhari should caution Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai from talking more than acting. President Buhari has indeed lost grip on the leadership of this nation, especially his inability to provide security for citizens of this nation. He should therefore seek foreign assistance before it is too late,” Ayokunle said.