Moses Ofodeme
The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, on Sunday, March 14; declared that failure of government to provide security is responsible for rising incidents of banditry across the country.
The Forum said citizens should hold the government accountable for banditry and general insecurity in the country.
The AYCF National President, Yerima Shettima, in a statement noted that it is the sole responsibility of the government to provide security for Nigerians; but it has failed to do so.
Shettima also urged the government to ensure security agencies are adequately equipped with manpower.
According to him, “The government should be held responsible. It’s the sole responsibility of the government to provide security which is key to the citizens.
“Despite the fact that some of us are aware that the security agencies have been overstretched at one point or the other; we are saying they should consider additional manpower; and provide the necessary equipment to encourage these agencies.
“We must consider equipping the Nigerian Armed Forces. Intelligence gathering is key, but they need to build trust between them and the communities; so they can get more information about these criminal-minded people. These criminally minded people are in the community and some know them very well.”