The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has blamed the Federal Government and the security forces for the terrorists attacks on the Kaduna Airport and on a Kaduna-bound train on the night of Monday, March 29.[spacer height=”25px”]

CAPPA said that the twin incidents indicate a escalation of terrorist activities, insisting that in the last four years, Nigerians have become prey and easy targets for ragtag insurgents who could be easily crushed by the military.[spacer height=”25px”]

Vanguard reported that the terrorists attack on the train led to the death medical doctor, Chinelo Megafu; General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Musa Ozigi; TUC Chairman, Kwara State Chapter, Akin Akinsola, among many others.[spacer height=”25px”]

The terrorists also abducted many travellers who are yet to be identified.[spacer height=”25px”]

In a statement in Lagos, CAPPA maintained that the dilly-dallies by the government on the actual number of the dead, the kidnapped and the actual number of people on the train is a trivialisation of simple security measures by those Nigerians have entrusted their destinies upon.[spacer height=”25px”]

Akinbode Oluwafemi, CAPPA Executive Director said:[spacer height=”25px”]

“It is sad that as we speak the number of the dead keep rising while the government is yet to ascertain the number kidnapped talk more of where they are being held.[spacer height=”25px”]

“Where in the world does that happen?”[spacer height=”25px”]

“As far as we are concerned, this is one tragedy too many! We place the responsibility and blame for this misfortune on the shoulders of the Federal Government whose monumental failure, cluelessness and lack of tact have continued to cause Nigerians to die like flies![spacer height=”25px”]

“The buck stops on the table of Mr. President. The daily occurrence of tragedy and frightening collapse of security infrastructure across all areas of the country is no longer acceptable.”[spacer height=”25px”]

The CAPPA mourned the deaths and injuries visited upon innocent travelers and demanded that the national flag be flown at half-mast as a sign of the nation’s grief.[spacer height=”25px”]

“We demand that adequate support and compensation be provided to all victims of this incident and their families.[spacer height=”25px”]

“These include free and adequate medical attention to all the injured and spirited actions to rescue those reported kidnapped.[spacer height=”25px”]

“It is quite indeed a testimony of monumental failure that these tragic incidents happened in Kaduna despite the heavy presence of military infrastructure in the state.[spacer height=”25px”]

“There are no fewer than six military formations in Kaduna. They include Jaji Military Cantonment; Division Headquarters, Nigerian Army Kaduna; New Barracks, otherwise known as Kotoko Barracks; Old Site of the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna; Kalanpazi Barracks (Artillery Regiment) and the Nigerian Airforce Base. Insecurity and living conditions have worsened across the country since the Buhari government mounted the saddle of governance.”[spacer height=”25px”]

Solutions

On what went wrong and how security can be improved, CAPPA too the Federal Government to task over the continued to mouthing claims “of its investment in high-powered equipment to bolster the efforts of the army in the fight against the raging insecurity in the country.[spacer height=”25px”]

“The truth is that these investments are more for showmanship and do not cut across. Nigerian soldiers in the frontline are still under-equipped and outgunned by terrorists, bandits, and criminal elements on a rampage in the country.[spacer height=”25px”]

“Aside from this, the welfare of the security personnel has been left unattended as the recent planned strike by the police officers in the country demonstrates.[spacer height=”25px”]

“At this stage, the question of pay and welfare of the army, police, and members of other law enforcement agencies must be addressed immediately.[spacer height=”25px”]

“There is no doubt that the mounting challenges of insecurity that plague the country are linked to the dampened morale of security agents and first responders who are underpaid, ill-utilized and under-equipped.”[spacer height=”25px”]

In the statement signed by Philip Jakpor, Director of Programmes, CAPPA commiserated with all victims of the unfortunate train attack.[spacer height=”25px”]

They called on Nigerians to rise in unison to say enough is enough to this state of abnormality and ask the current administration to wake up or quit if it cannot arrest the senseless killings of helpless citizens across every area of the country.[spacer height=”25px”]

Source: Vanguard News