Nigeria now a haven for bandits, kidnapping, Atiku laments

*Accuses political leaders of sowing seed of disunity amongst Nigerians

*Re-echoes calls for restructuring

Doosuur Iwambe, Abuja

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed concern over the worsening state of insecurity in the country, saying Nigeria has become a haven for bandits, kidnappers and all other forms of criminalities.

Abubakar, who said it was unfortunate that bandits have been allowed to carry out their nefarious activities openly across Nigeria, noted that it would surprise no one if these bandits eventually get registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission and listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange.

He spoke on Thursday in Abuja, during a media dialogue and public presentation of the book titled: ‘Remaking Nigeria: Sixty years, sixty voices’ with the theme: Towards a viable union: ‘A national dialogue on remarkable Nigeria’.

Atiku, who spoke in his capacity as chairman of the occasion, said poverty, lack of development, unemployment, and illiteracy were some of the factors holding the country back.

He said: “Yes, the Chibok girls had been kidnapped and held in captivity 7 years ago. Yes, conflicts between herders and farmers had been there with us before 2016.

“But who would have thought that our country would become a haven for kidnappers and all manner of bandits to the extent that their nefarious activities would become a major industry?

“They have been allowed to operate so openly and brazenly that it would surprise no one if they applied for registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission and listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange.

“Five years ago, the Abuja Kaduna road was not a virtual no go area. The south east was not a virtual war zone, the Amotekun was not needed to protect lives and property in the south west but it has become worse today”.

The former vice president further disclosed that he finds it amusing when people declare Nigeria’s unity as fixed and non-negotiable and still go behind to do everything in their power to destroy the fragile unity.

While warning those in authority not to take things for granted, he added that fixing or restructuring the country is the only way out now.

“The calls for restructuring have not been heeded. Constitutional provisions on federal character have been ignored and even symbolic gestures to make all groups feel that they are part of the Nigerian family have been scorned as though they are a sign of weakness.

“As a result, the agitations that turned more groups into Biafrans have become even more strident and in some cases, violent”, he added.

On his part, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who also stressed the need to restructure the country, noted that restructuring is an unending issue among nations.

Fayemi, who was the keynote speaker at the event, said that questions will continue to assail the topic, questioning whether demolishing the old order for a new era will quench the call for restructuring.

He noted that restructuring is a generational issue whereby every nation will always demand for a better society.

According to him, nation-building is always unfinished business because the generation coming after will seek for a new direction.

He added that it is illusory that Nigeria can erect a perfect nation.

He advised that focus should be on how to reinvent a new nation rather than calling for all out demolition.

He stressed that the cause of EndSars protest should not be lost on the nation, adding that absence of justice, liberty, equal economic opportunity and fairness is the root cause of agitation.