To mark Nigeria at 61 and the International Day for Older Persons, the Journalists Network for Ageing in Nigeria(JONAN) has called upon the service chiefs, IGP, DSS and the NSA to declare a state of emergency in security in the South East in particular and Nigeria as a whole, following the continuous mayhem, killings and abductions across the country.
In a Press Statement issued by the organization, it noted that as a matter of urgency a state of emergency should be declared in the South East in particular and the entire nation in general on security.
Princess Joy Idam, Deputy President JONAN, who was speaking during the ITV 14th anniversary in Abuja, further advised the security agencies to seek external support if overwhelmed by the spate of devastation by this blood thirsty killers and abductors.
Princess Idam, noted that this became necessary following the gruesome murders of Dr Chike Akunyili, who was the husband of the former Director General of NAFDAC and former Minister of Information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, and Rev Shuaibu, a CAN Chairman, butchered by Muslim youths in Kano.
Dr. Chike Akunyili was gunned down in a most gruesome and very horrifying manner at Afor Nkpor, Anambra State. While Rev Shuaibu was butchered by Muslim youths at Kano.
She recalled also the case of the traditional ruler, HRH Edozieuno Anakpulu, who traveled from Anambra to Imo to receive President Muhammadu Buhari during his state visit, only to meet an untimely death on his way back.
“The list is endless,” she lamented.
“Dr. Akunyili, until his untimely death was the Medical Director of St. Leo Hospital Enugu, he went to Onitsha to present a paper and receive an award at the memorial lecture put together by civil society organisation in honor of his late wife, Prof. Dora Akunyili and was gruesomely attacked at Nkpor on his way home.”
Princess Idam noted that “lots of gruesome attacks, abductions and killings had been going on around the entire South East zone and other parts of the country.
“Also children writing SSCE were chased out of Examination Hall by bandits.”
Consequently, JONAN urged the Inspector General of Police(IGP) and other law enforcement agencies to step up action towards unraveling perpetrators of the killings, kidnaps and banditary in the country and bring them to book.
“In Anambra State, HRH
Edozieuno Anakpulu, a former Igwe of Mkpunado Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, was also murdered.
“HRH Edozieuno was one of the 12 traditional rulers in Anambra state suspended last year by Governor Willie Obiano for visiting President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja in company of the billionaire oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze.
“Perhaps his killing may not be unconnected with his visit to Imo to receive President Muhammadu Buhari.
“JONAN condemns the continuous killings under the name of unknown gunmen. It’s either bandits, herdsmen, Muslim youths or IPOB. The service chiefs, DSS, NSA, IGP should not fold their arms while this total break down of law and order is unleashed on innocent citizens.
“The Palace of a traditional ruler in Imo State was set ablaze for this and many more reasons. JONAN therefore calls for a state of emergency in security to be declared in the South East in particular and the entire nation in general.”
Princess Idam charged both the National Assembly and the security agencies of playing politics with the lives of the citizenry.
“The security agencies must wake up to their responsibilities.”
She advised Nigerians not to keep quiet, if they suspect any security breaches.
“Securing our lives and property should be business of all of us as citizens.
“Finally, if Nigeria is overwhelmed let’s seek external help to put an end to this insecurity and endless blood bath and spillage. It’s not good for our children and Older Persons as it can aggravate their health, reading or watching such bad news daily.
“JONAN is the result of an Advocacy by the Director General National Senior Citizens Center, Dr Emem Omokaro. We commend her for hitting the ground running since her appointment a few months back.”
