CSOs Hold Anti Terrorism Rally  In Edo

By Ayodele Oni

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations,(CSOs) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), has urged Nigerians to take a more active role in safeguarding the nation’s security by promptly reporting suspicious activities and criminal movements to security agencies.

This is as Nigeria battles rising cases of kidnapping, cult-related violence, terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent crime.

The appeal was made during an anti-terrorism and anti-social vices awareness rally organised by the CSOs in partnership with the DSS in Benin City.

The coalition maintained that timely, credible intelligence from members of the public remains critical to preventing attacks, disrupting criminal networks, and strengthening security across the country, stressing that effective policing cannot succeed without citizens’ cooperation.

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the rally, one of the participants, Dr. Bright Oniovokukor, said the fight against insecurity should not be left to the government and security agencies alone but must be embraced as a collective responsibility of all Nigerians.

According to him, the awareness campaign was designed to sensitise residents to the vital role they play in combating kidnapping, cultism, banditry, armed robbery, terrorism, and other security threats through vigilance and the timely sharing of credible information with relevant authorities.

“We are saying no to terrorism in all its forms.

“When we talk about terrorism, we are referring to cultism, kidnapping and every other social vice that threatens the peace and security of our communities,” Oniovokukor said.

According to him, criminals are not invisible, but often operate within communities.

“Kidnappers, terrorists and bandits are not ghosts. They are people who either live among us or move around our communities.

“When we notice strange behaviour, unusual movements or suspicious activities, we must report them to the appropriate security agencies.

“Our security agencies need intelligence to do their work effectively, and that intelligence comes from citizens. If you see something, say something. When you do, the government and security agencies can act.”

Dr. Oniovokukor stressed that the campaign was designed to encourage families and community members to become more vigilant and take ownership of the nation’s security.

“Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters all have a role to play. Every Nigerian must stand up and contribute to making our communities safer,” he said.

Explaining the reason for organizing the rally, he said the growing wave of insecurity and emerging trends such as self-kidnapping and the spread of false information made it necessary to raise public awareness.

“Enough is enough. We are witnessing too many disturbing developments, including cases of self-kidnapping and misinformation.

“We felt it was important to come out and remind Nigerians that those committing these crimes are not strangers, they are people we know, our friends, relatives, brothers and sisters.

“We are calling on everyone to keep their hands off kidnapping, cultism and every other form of social vice. Together, we can build a safer Nigeria”, he said.

Also speaking, Comrade Solomon Idiogbe stated that security agencies cannot tackle the nation’s insecurity alone, stressing that ensuring security is a collective responsibility.

“We believe the time has come for everyone to join forces with the security agencies and speak out.

“We want to remind the public that when you see something, you should say something. Landlords must also be vigilant about the kind of tenants they accommodate.

“Everyone has a role to play in supporting the security agencies to combat terrorism and other forms of criminality across the state. The security agencies are not spirits.

“They rely on credible information and the cooperation of the people to carry out their duties effectively.

“This conscientization rally is aimed at encouraging the public to work closely with the security agencies and the government to tackle the hydra-headed menace of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, and cultism.

“These crimes cannot be curbed by the security agencies alone. Security is everyone’s responsibility,” Idiogbe said.