Nigerians in Americas Demand Effective Security Measures to End Kidnappings, Other Criminalities

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia


Nigerians living in the Americas have called on the federal government to adopt effective measures to halt the pervasive insecurity plaguing the country.
They made the call under the aegis of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Americas in a statement jointly issued by the Board of Trustees (BoT) and Board of Directors (BoD).

In the statement signed by the quartet of Bukola Olaoye, NIDOA BoT; Chika Emmanuel, NIDOA- Brazil BoD; Lillian Alli-Balogun, NIDOA-Canada; and Collins Ikegwuonu, NIDOA-USA; the group said nothing should be spared to extricate Nigeria from the grips of insecurity.
The organisation commended the Nigerian government and its security agencies for the rescue of the 137 pupils and students kidnapped from schools in Kuriga, Kaduna State on March 7, 2024, 17 days after their abduction.

“While we commend this swift action, it’s imperative to recognise that the issue of insecurity in Nigeria extends beyond isolated incidents and deserves broader attention,” the group said.
It pointed out that the kidnapping of the school children got global attention due to the “significant media coverage given to the incident,” adding that it was “just one example of the pervasive insecurity plaguing Nigeria”.

NIDOA, which represents Nigerians living in the US, Canada, Brazil, and Belize, noted that countless private citizens had fallen victim to kidnappings without attracting the same level of public attention as the mass abductions.

The organisation stated that kidnappings usually result in loss of lives, shattered families, and exorbitant payment of ransoms, hence the “urgent need for comprehensive security measures” to checkmate the perpetrators.
It also lamented the insecurity situation in the farmlands, which has “worsened food insecurity threatening the livelihoods of farmers and exacerbating the already dire economic situation.”

NIDOA insisted that the killing of farmers and destruction of farmlands “cannot be overlooked in our discussion of Nigeria’s security challenges” and should also receive urgent action.
It said that even with the commendable rescue efforts of Nigeria’s federal authorities, “we cannot ignore the frequency” of kidnappings and the underlying issues contributing to the incidents.

The diaspora organisation therefore called on the security agencies and elected officials “to prioritise the safety and well-being of all Nigerians, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographic location”.
“Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) America reaffirms its commitment to supporting Nigeria in overcoming these challenges.
“We urge all stakeholders, both domestic and international, to collaborate in addressing the root causes of insecurity and fostering a safer environment for all Nigerians,” the group said.

Meanwhile, NIDOA has expressed its interest in the ongoing constitutional review by the 10th National Assembly and has submitted its proposal for further amendments to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
It identified key thematic areas that require urgent attention, including local government autonomy, electoral reforms, and gender issues, among others.
In its proposal on electoral reforms, NIDOA called for the strengthening of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “to ensure fair, credible, free, and transparent elections.”
The organisation also advocated the inclusion of diaspora absentee voting options “to enhance the democratic process and representation.”