The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit has tasked President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to rethink Nigeria’s security situation.
The Muslim students’ body made the call on Sunday, October 9, 2022, during the Security Summit held at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos with the theme, “Rethinking Nigeria’s Security.”
The summit had in attendance security experts, forces, religious leaders and other stakeholders, who also proffered way forward to the challenges.
In his welcome remarks, the Amir (President) of MSSN Lagos Area Unit, Mallam Miftahudeen Thaani, said the event was organised to sensitise members on the need for everyone to be part of the country’s security architecture.
Thanni said the programme is part of the group’s contribution to peace and security of Nigerians while calling on those in authority to take the issue of insecurity seriously, said all hands must be on deck.
“This programme is for advocacy on the importance of security. The youths constitute a higher percentage of the population and have a role to play. We should not be part of the security problems in Nigeria.
“We should not join banditry, kidnapping and other crimes. The 2023 elections will be okay if the youths resolve to make peace and do the right things.
“We should not allow ourselves to be used by bad politicians,” he said
The Managing Director of Beacon Consulting and leading security expert, Dr Kabir Adamu, disclosed that Nigeria ranked globally as one of the countries with highest death rate caused by insecurity.
He said multiple forms of instability exist throughout the six geopolitical zones, which are rapidly stagnating the development of the nation and threatening its corporate existence
He recommended that the government worked together effectively and efficiently, in a transparent and just manner, to address burgeoning socio-economic challenges including unemployment, poverty, and socio-political grievances and enhance social cohesion.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, who was represented by SP Raji Rabiu, was impressed with the students for organising such event aimed at proffering solution to insecurity in Nigeria.
Alabi said: “If we like in this country, let us continue organising, establishing millions of security outfits, it may not work.
“Why? It is simple. As far as there is no adequate punishment for offenders, crimes will continue to rise.
“As MSSN members, you are Muslims; you know what the Qu’ran says about crimes and criminals; a criminal now kills somebody unjustly, and walks around.
“Considering how much the government is spending to arrest a single criminal, see how many lives that security agencies are losing day by day during operation and at the end of the day we arrest the offender and let him go free,” he noted.
In his address, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, who was represented by Dr Hakeem Shittu, said that there would be no meaningful development in any society where the security of lives and property is not guaranteed.
He said the state government was doing everything possible to ensure the safety of lives and property, adding it is the fundamental responsibility of the state government.
