By Dare Akogun
A frontline politician and former presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has condemned the recent wave of killings across the country, describing the incidents as mindless and avoidable, while calling for a change of strategy to tackle the worsening security situation.
In a statement issued by his media office on Wednesday in Abuja, Olawepo-Hashim expressed sadness over the loss of innocent lives in various parts of the country, including Plateau, Benue, Ondo, Ebonyi, and Enugu states.
He lamented that in the past two weeks alone, more than 60 persons were killed in Plateau State, eight farmers murdered in Ondo, over 25 in Benue, and more than 24 in Ebonyi and Enugu states combined.
The former presidential candidate said the Federal Government appears not to be in total control of the security situation, yet remains reluctant to share critical intelligence and operational authority with state and local governments.
According to him, “The lack of understanding and cooperation with neighbouring countries would continue to make the inflow of bandits and arms easy.
“Bandits and terrorists enjoy easy mobility as they easily shift operations from areas of increased activities of federal government security forces to areas of low interest,” he added.
He noted the movement of terror activities from the North-East to the North-West, and now to the North-Central and South-West regions, as a clear example of the gaps in the current security architecture.
Olawepo-Hashim maintained that the lives of Nigerians matter, adding that, “We must stand together in the fight for peace and justice, ensuring that no one has to live in fear on their own land.”
Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had recently claimed that violent deaths have reduced by over 90 per cent in the last one year and ten months, and that nearly 2,000 terrorists have been prosecuted under the current administration.
However, the recent killings in Plateau and Benue states including a massacre during a wake in Ruwi and a deadly attack in Otobi, the hometown of former Senate President David Mark have continued to heighten tension and cast doubts over the government’s security claims.
Protests have also erupted in Ondo and Enugu states, with citizens taking to the streets to demand immediate and decisive government intervention in the security crisis.
Olawepo-Hashim emphasised that every life is sacred and must be protected regardless of region or tribe, saying, “Selective outrage can never be justified. The continuous bloodletting in Benue and Plateau States must be condemned and indeed must be stopped.
