The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called for increased collaboration between citizens and Nigeria’s security forces to decisively end insecurity, following recent terrorist attacks in parts of Niger State that left scores dead and several others abducted.
The attacks occurred in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas, where gunmen invaded rural communities, killing about 60 people and kidnapping an unspecified number of residents. The incidents have sparked renewed concerns over safety in border and agrarian communities already grappling with years of violence.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, IPCR described the attacks as “desperate actions” by fleeing bandits, insurgents and terrorist groups who are currently facing intensified military and security operations across several theatres. According to the institute, the assaults were intended to spread fear, undermine public confidence and intimidate civilians living in conflict-prone areas.
The IPCR, in the statement signed by its Director General, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu urged Nigerians, particularly residents of vulnerable communities, to remain calm but vigilant, stressing that timely intelligence and cooperation with security agencies are critical to dismantling criminal networks.
Ochogwu said: “These acts are designed to raise apprehension and create fear, but they also signal that these criminal elements are under pressure,” the institute said, adding that closer collaboration between citizens and security forces would hasten their defeat.
The institute also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for issuing what it described as a clear and firm directive to the military and other security agencies to end insecurity and ensure that perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice. It noted that strong political will from the highest level of government is essential for sustained security gains.
Beyond immediate security responses, IPCR emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying drivers of violence, including poverty, unemployment and limited access to basic social services. The institute warned that without tackling these structural challenges, efforts to achieve lasting peace could be undermined.
IPCR further called for improved trust between citizens and the state, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities, insisting that collective efforts are necessary to defeat insecurity and build a safer Nigeria.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
