The National Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has shown concern over the alarming state of insecurity in Nigeria, suggesting some measures at addressing this menace.
NUJ, in a communique issued and signed by its National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, at the end of the meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC), called on the Federal Government to overhaul the security apparatus, with a view to combatting incessant killings, kidnappings, banditry and other criminal activities ravaging the country.
“Efforts should also be intensified to effect the release of 136 school pupils still in the kidnappers custody in Niger State without further delay. More importantly NEC encourages the Federal Government to make public the list of those sponsoring criminality in the country as earlier promised by the Attorney General of the Federation”, the communique added.
The Union strong recommended to the Federal Government the immediate approval of the creation of state police to complement the existing security architecture.
Other areas of concern to the Union is the safety and security of the Nigerian journalists, expressing worry over the high rate of intimidation and attacks on Journalists in the country by both Agents of the State and Freelance Actors.
It sought the immediate intervention of the Federal Government in curbing the various ways in which various security agents intimidate and harass journalist charging the government to urgently avert its escalation.
Calling on the Federal Government to summon an urgent conference of stakeholders to map out strategies to avert the impending food crisis in the country, as a result of insecurity, the Union appealed to the Federal Government to dialogue with the resident doctors with a view to put an end to the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the doctor.
“NEC appeals to the Federal Government to dialogue with resident doctors to end the ongoing industrial action which has already subjected many Nigerians to untold hardship. The Federal Government should also return to the negotiation table with ASUU to prevent an impending strike”, the communique emphasize.
