Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan
The last may not have been heard about the recent clamour for state police, as Nigerian students under the aegis of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), have kicked against the call, saying it is not only frightening but threatening looking at how security issues and politics are handled by some state governors in the country.
MSSN in a communique issued at the end of its national executive council meeting, held in Abuja, said it will never support the call for state police, urging all well-meaning Nigerians to reject the move in order to prevent the country from experiencing anarchy.
It stated that while it is necessary to do more to tackle security challenges facing the country, creating state police rather than help in that direction will bring more problems which will not be in the interest of Nigeria.
On other challenges facing the country, the society in the communique signed by its National Amir/President, Mr Muhammad Jameel Muhammad, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, said the rate at which cultism, child labour and substance abuse are increasing is alarming, calling on NDLEA, other security agencies and community stakeholders to do the needful in curbing the menace to save the nation from total collapse.
It also bemoaned the lingering fuel crisis and speculations about increase in pump price as well as economic hardship suffered by Nigerians, urging government at all levels to face the issue with empathy and all seriousness to reduce the sufferings of the masses.
The communique read in part, “Kidnapping and armed robbery have become the news of the day and people are living in fear over their safety on the roads and at their homes. While appreciating the efforts of this government in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency, we pray that same commitment and vigour will be put in place to check the aforementioned security challenges.
"The recent clamour from some quarters for the establishment of state police is not only frightening but threatening, looking at how security issues and politics are handled by some state governors. We therefore reject it in totality and call on all well-meaning citizens to stand against this move to prevent Nigerians from experiencing anarchy.
"The rate at which cultism, child labour and substance abuse are increasing in the Nigerian community is alarming and the society calls on NDLEA, other security agencies and community stakeholders to do the needful in curving this menace to avoid the nation from total collapse.
"The lingering fuel crisis and speculations about increase in pump price as well as economic hardship suffered by Nigerians are going out of hand. Government should face the issue with empathy and all seriousness to reduce the sufferings of the masses. To this note, while the efforts of this government in the fight against corruption are commendable, we call that the same commitment should be shown in addressing the suffering of the masses.
"On the political happenings in Nigeria, the feud between the different arms of government is holding the country to ransom. As 2019 general elections approach, the society calls for decorum, fair play from government, and appeals to politicians to avoid taking the nation and masses in to untold fears and confusion."
