Must We Continue like this?

MUST WE CONTINUE LIKE THIS? THE INSECURITY CRISIS IN NIGERIA Published by: Prophet. Sbj Michael _Opinion | National Issues_ The issue of insecurity in Nigeria is a great cause for concern. Every day, we wake up to reports of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, terrorism, and communal clashes in different parts of the country. No region is truly safe anymore — not the North, not the South, not the East, and not the West. Must we continue like this? Schools are being shut down because of abductions. Farmers can no longer go to their farms for fear of attacks. Travelers now pray before embarking on journeys because highways have become danger zones. Businesses are closing, investors are leaving, and many Nigerians are losing hope in the future of the country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics and security reports*, over 3,000 people were killed and more than 2,000 kidnapped in 2023 alone. This is in addition to thousands displaced from their homes, especially in the North-East, North-West, and Middle Belt. The effects are clear: 1. On Education: Children are dropping out of school. Parents are afraid to send their wards to school. 2. On Economy: Agriculture and trade have been crippled. Food prices have gone up because farmers cannot farm. 3. On Unity: Fear and distrust are growing among communities. People no longer feel like one nation. The truth is, insecurity thrives where there is poverty, unemployment, and weak institutions. Many of our youths, who should be building the nation, are being recruited into crime because they have no jobs and no hope. Must we continue like this? No. Government must rise to its primary responsibility: the protection of lives and property. This means: 1. Equipping and motivating our security agencies with modern tools and intelligence. 2. Creating jobs and opportunities for our teeming youths so they will not see crime as an option. 3. Strengthening community policing and involving traditional rulers and local leaders in the fight. 4. Ensuring justice by prosecuting those found guilty, no matter how highly placed. As citizens, we also have a role. We must say no to supporting criminality, report suspicious activities, and promote peace in our communities. Parents must instill discipline and the fear of God in their children. Nigeria is blessed with both human and natural resources. But no nation can develop when its people live in fear. So I ask again: Must we continue like this? The answer must be "No". It is time for government, leaders, and citizens to work together to restore peace and security in Nigeria. Our children deserve to grow up in a safe country.