Kogiflame
A Human Rights Activist, Mr Idris Miliki has called on Kogi State Government to employ at least, 20 vigilantes from each of the 239 wards of the state to complement conventional security personnel and their agencies in fighting insecurity.
Miliki who is also the Executive Director Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), in a statement issued Monday in Lokoja said the call was in view of recent security challenges in the state.
He pointed out that the situation had compelled the state government to take drastic actions including, temporary closure of Primary and Secondary Schools as well as some markets and motor parks in some Local Government in the western district.
The human Rights activist pointed out that the security personnel and their agencies including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Military and Paramilitary currently involve in the on-going onslaught against the bandits would only occupy the areas temporarily.
He noted that it would take only residents of this areas to sustain the security efforts across the state after the conventional security personnel who are on special duties, had vacated the areas at the end of their operations.
Miliki suggested that the vigilantes to be recruited should be trained and equipped to maintain security in their various wards or locality at the end of the on-going operations
Miliki also urged the Federal, State and Local Governments to align their efforts under a unified, coherent framework that promotes consistency, accountability, and shared objectives in the fight against terrorism.
He pointed out that fragmented interventions where each tier of government operates in isolation and independent of other tiers have led to duplication of efforts, policy contradictions, and inefficient resources utilization.
“A harmonized approach ensures that all actors are working toward a common vision, with clearly defined roles and measurable outcomes”, he said.
The CHRCR Executive Director said community resilience, engagement and support can do a lot reducing the spate of violence, crime and insecurity in communities adding that triggers of violence extremism should be critically addressed.
Violent Extremism in Nigeria arising from political and economic factors such as governance failure, corruption, inequality, and lack of opportunities, all tend to create conditions that fuel radicalization.
He stated that one of the most persistent challenges undermining the effectiveness of Nigeria response to Violent Extremism is the lack of strategic coordination among Federal, State, and local actors.
Other triggers to be critically addressed, he said, are perceived political exclusion, unemployment, and poverty, saying that these make individuals vulnerable to extremist narratives that exploit social and economic grievances.
“Additionally, weak institution and poor service delivery enable extremism to thrive. Nigeria’s response to violent extremism remains fragmented and uneven”, he said.
