Take It Back Movement Decries Rising Insecurity In Nigeria

The Take It Back Movement is very worried about the increasing insecurity in Nigeria. The Movement points to terror attacks and school abductions as proof. They also mention the closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges. [Source needed] This shows a failure in the nation’s security. The Movement says these events show a country facing a big crisis. The group believes urgent action is needed. This action should address the causes of insecurity and restore safety to the nation.

A Catastrophic Collapse of National Security

The Take It Back Movement calls Nigeria’s security situation a “catastrophic collapse of national security.” This strong statement shows how serious the Movement thinks the situation is. They believe the rising violence is a threat to Nigerians and the nation’s future. The Movement says there is an urgent need for solutions to fix the crisis.

The group says the failing security shows a failure of governance. They say it is a failure of those who should protect citizens. The Movement says the government can’t protect lives and property. This has created fear and hurts the economy. They say this failure has damaged trust in the government.

The Movement suggests the government’s response has not been good enough. They believe a better approach is needed. This approach should address the causes of insecurity. It should tackle poverty, unemployment, and inequality, as these issues can lead to crime. The Movement also wants more accountability in the security sector.

Recent Incidents Highlight Vulnerability

Kwara State Church Attack

The Take It Back Movement talked about an attack on a church in Kwara State. The attack in Eruku disrupted a worship service. People were hurt, and others were kidnapped, including the pastor. The Movement says this shows how vulnerable Nigerians are. Even places of worship are not safe. The attack raises concerns about the safety of religious places and the government’s ability to protect them.

The Movement sees this attack as part of a bigger security problem where criminals can act without fear. They say the government must do more to protect religious freedom and ensure the safety of all citizens, no matter their faith. This requires more security, better intelligence, and community involvement.

Niger State School Abduction

The Take It Back Movement mentioned the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. The Movement points out how many were abducted, similar to past incidents, showing the ongoing threat to children’s education. These abductions scare parents and students, discouraging school attendance and hurting education. The Nigeria Security Tracker (NST) documents violence in Nigeria and provides data supporting claims about rising insecurity (https://www.cfr.org/nigeria/nigeria-security-tracker).

The Movement thinks these abductions are meant to hurt the education system and destabilize the country. They believe the government must prioritize school safety and take action to prevent future attacks. This includes putting more security at schools, improving intelligence, and working with communities.

Kebbi State School Raid

In Kebbi State, the Take It Back Movement said schoolgirls were abducted from their dormitories in a night raid, and the vice-principal was also hurt. The Movement is saddened that these things keep happening. They say the nation keeps seeing the same violence and lack of accountability. These events show a failure to learn from the past and set up good plans to prevent future attacks on schools.

The Movement says the government must hold people responsible for these attacks and take steps to prevent them from happening again. This means making law enforcement stronger, improving intelligence, and addressing the causes of insecurity. The Movement wants the government, security forces, and communities to work together to create a safer place for students and teachers.

Closure of Federal Unity Colleges

Because of these threats, the Federal Government closed 41 Federal Unity Colleges. [Source needed] The Take It Back Movement knows it’s important to protect students. However, they see this as the government admitting it can’t ensure safety. The closures disrupt education and damage trust in the government.

The Movement thinks closing schools should be the last option. The government should find other ways to protect students, such as increasing security and providing transportation. They also say the closures hurt students from poor backgrounds the most, as these students may not have other school options. The Movement wants a better way to ensure school safety, rather than closing them. Human Rights Watch reports attacks on farmers fuel food crisis (https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/17/nigeria-attacks-farmers-fuel-food-crisis).

Call for Fundamental Change

The Take It Back Movement strongly condemns these events. They say Nigeria is facing a national emergency and that small actions won’t fix the problems. The Movement believes a big change is needed to address the causes of insecurity and bring back stability.

The Movement believes change is needed. They suggest a grassroots movement is the only way to save Nigeria’s democracy. They want a new focus on security, accountability, and good governance. This includes making government transparent, strengthening democracy, and helping citizens get involved in politics. Brookings discusses the farmer-herder conflict, a significant contributor to insecurity in Nigeria (https://www.brookings.edu/africa/2023/05/16/nigerias-escalating-farmer-herder-violence-scenarios-to-mitigate-conflict/).

The statement was signed by Sanyaolu Juwon, the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement. It shows the group’s worry about the security situation. The Movement’s call for action shows the need for solutions to fix the crisis and bring back hope for the nation.

Conclusion

The Take It Back Movement’s statement highlights the security problems in Nigeria. It points to violence and the government’s response as proof of failure. The Movement wants change and a grassroots approach to fix the causes of insecurity. They want a focus on security and good governance. This shows the need for solutions to bring back stability and protect the nation’s future.