CAN urges FG to declare state of emergency on insecurity

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), specifically its South-West region, has strongly decried the pervasive insecurity across Nigeria, urging the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the matter. Bishop Barnabas Akin-Akinsanya, CAN Chairman in the South-West, stated that the group is profoundly concerned by the alarming rise in kidnappings, banditry, and violent crimes affecting states like Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, and Lagos.

CAN highlighted that recent abductions and attacks have instilled widespread fear and uncertainty, transforming what were once occasional security breaches into a recurring national tragedy that jeopardizes peace, economic stability, and social cohesion. The association condemned these criminal acts and offered sympathy to victims and their families, praying for the safe return of captives and comfort for those who have suffered losses.

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The Federal Government should immediately review and strengthen the nation’s security architecture and ensure that all security agencies are adequately equipped with modern surveillance technology, drones, intelligence systems, communication gadgets, and rapid-response capabilities necessary for effective contemporary security operations. The Federal Government should declare a state of emergency on security.

To combat the escalating crisis, CAN recommended that the Federal Government immediately review and enhance the nation's security framework. This includes ensuring all security agencies are equipped with modern surveillance technology, intelligence systems, communication gadgets, and rapid-response capabilities. The association also advised seeking strategic technical and intelligence support from friendly nations and international partners, emphasizing that national security should supersede pride, politics, and bureaucracy.

Furthermore, CAN called upon South-West governors to address the growing menace, warning that the region can no longer afford complacency. The group noted the increasing vulnerability of forests, highways, farms, and border communities to criminal infiltration, suggesting the region is gradually being encircled by security threats. They urged governors to strengthen regional security collaboration, bolster community-based intelligence gathering, improve surveillance, and enhance the operational effectiveness of existing security outfits.

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Our forests, highways, farms, and border communities are increasingly vulnerable to criminal infiltration. The region appears to be gradually encircled by growing security threats. We therefore call on the governors of the South-West states to strengthen regional security collaboration, support community-based intelligence gathering, improve surveillance, and enhance the operational effectiveness of existing security outfits.