The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC,has said Nigeria statistics and reports in kidnapping and banditry has overtaken Afghanistan and Somalia.
Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr. Auwal Musa Ibrahim (Rafsanjani), disclosed this at a media interaction held in Lagos with the theme: “Deterioration of Human Security in Nigeria: Is the State A Guardian or Threats to Protection of Civilians?” .
He also stated that violence in Nigeria has been on the increase due to the statistics and reports of banditry, terrorism and kidnap in the country and the government needs to look beyond the ordinary to solve some of these pressing challenges
He implored the Federal government to urgently take actions in protecting Nigerians and their property by developing strategies aimed at putting a stop to pattern of fatalities and abuse of citizens.
He also urged the state to serve as a guardian of its people, in the spirit of the law. He added that no man has the sovereignty to threaten lives and no human ambition is worth it.
Mr. Salaudeen Hashim, Program Manager, Defence & Security Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC),implored the President to sign the bill for the Protection of Civilians, PoC.
Speaking on “Issues For Media Engagement: Human Security, Protection of Civilians and Civilians Harm Mitigation in Armed Conflict, Hashim said some of the key considerations to tackle the challenges of human security is by accepting and reconsidering the notion of ‘collateral damage’.
“As it is evident from several cases, significant harm to civilians occurs not only through willful intent or what can be considered violations of International Hunan Rights Law (IHL), so Adherence to the letter, as well as the spirit of IHL needs to become the norm, resulting in resolute efforts to mitigate civilian harm to the greatest extent possible.
He added that the media also have a role in curbing civilian harm mitigation by raising awareness about reality and potential for civilian harm during military and security operations.
“Raising awareness about good practice in civilian harm mitigation practices across the world and leveraging on platform and reach to facilitate improved Civil – Military/Security Relations.
“Journalists must take more interest in in-depth reporting, analysis of the urgency to promote Protection of Civilian and Civilian Harm Mitigation in Armed Conflict.
“They must always have the people at the centre of their coverage. They must stick to issues, follow up harm is recorded, evaluate performances.
“They must also report, write features and do sector focused journalism, collaborate with other stakeholders as well as De-commercialise protection and civilian harm related issues,” he said.
