Insecurity: Forum Condemns Kaduna Train Attack, Urges Govt To Redouble Efforts

… Advocates trainings for journalists on conflict- sensitive Journalism

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: The Monthly forum of Interfaith Mediation Centre, (IMC) with the Media on Peace Journalism, under  the Community Initiatives to Promote Peace (CIPP) program has condemned the Kaduna Train attack and the spate security challenges in the state and country.

The forum called on the authorities  and security aagencies to do the needful by re-doubling their efforts in protecting lives and property of Nigerians

The group also advocated for the training and re- training workshops for Journalists; reporters and editors alike to build and enhance their capacities on conflict- sensitive journalism among others

In a communique signed by IMC’s Co- Executive Directors, Dr Rev.James Movel Wuye and Dr. Imam Muhammad Ishafa, at the end of a one- day forum with the media on Peace Journalism at  the Kaduna State Peace commission (KAPECOM) on tuesday.

” The Forum condemned the Monday night attack on a Kaduna bound passenger train from Abuja by extremist groups and sympathize with the victims involved in the incidence.”

The forum also urged the politicians to desist from using youths for political thuggery and call on politicians not to over heat the polity  and to shun hate and dangerous speeches.

While urging the general public to desist from posting inciting comments and images on their social media handle and to maintain decorum.

The  media forum also commended the Kaduna State peace Commission and the interfaith Media Centre for their collaboratory roles in reporting conflicts early warning signals to the appropriate agencies. 

The team also stressed the need to checkmate the illegal possession of light and small arms amongst some individuals, all in the guise to protect themselves, especially against bandits and kidnappers attacks.

And with a call on the authorities concerned to assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), especially those affected by Kidnapping/banditry attacks. 

The communique further noted the ” plea on the media to in the cause of reportage to be ethical in their profession and in the dessimination and in the choice of words so as to avoid escalating tension in the society. 

” The urged the media not to hide any information but to be more objective in their reportage as Media practitioners as they are also urged to share Information that promotes understanding amongst the members of the public as well as, assist the security in addressing insecurity in the land.”

The Forum also commended the media for ” being instrumental in dousing tension in the society and call on members of the public to desist from using religious coloration in the issues of insecurity.”

On ASUU strike, the forum appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene in addressing the demands of ASUU so that the students can go back to their classes so that they should not be tools as agents of thuggery ahead of the 2023 general elections. 

The interfaith media group also urged the Federal Government to address the scarcity of fuel and diesel as their scarcity continue to hit hard on Nigerians and on the economy. 

 It also decried the return of Almajirai particularly in Kaduna metropolis and urged the government to address the issue. 

The interfaith group further lamented the increase in the number of kidnapping in the State especially in the month of March 2022 and urged the state government and the security agencies to redouble their  efforts in addressing the problem.  

While stressing on the need for ” an increased campaign against patronizing bandits and like minded groups and called for community based peace activities that will usher peaceful coexistence among the citizens.”

The Forum “”advised on the training and retraining of Journalists on Peace Journalism in the State, so as to enhance their capacity on their profession” it added