The level of insecurity in the country has actually come, biting hard on all and sundry especially as christians celebrate Christmas all over the world.
No doubt, today, the fear of being killed, kidnapped along the highways has discouraged a lot of people from coming home. This is more scary for people living in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Sokoto etc. The news of maiming and killing of innocent citizens by hoodlums around the country did affect the movement of persons this yuletide season.
A visit to the communities has shown that less than twenty percentage of christians came back to their various Communities for the celebration of Christmas, those who came back, had more number of people living within the states in the Southeast.
If more persons will come back for the New year, it will depend on much of news of attacks and killing that are filtering the airwaves and news-pages.
However, we enjoin christians not to be deterred by the level of insecurity in the country. They should use this period to pray fervently for the peace of the country from their end, especially praying against banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery among other social ills that have kept people back from fully relishing the joy of the moment.
We also call on christians to be mindful of where they go to this period, be mindful of their environment and always report suspicious movement to the security operatives.
The commuters are advised to be mindful of vehicles they board this season. There is therefore need to avoid entering unbranded vehicles, not to accept ‘lifts’ from strangers, board vehicles from recognized motor parks.
People are as well advised to avoid crowded areas and carry authentic identity cards. These needs have been buttressed to enable people celebrate joyfully this season.
We equally call on security operatives to be alert as well as professional in their duty so that innocent citizens are not killed in the mixup to exterminate criminal elements in the country. They should observe the rules of engagement in their operation.
However, in all these, do not despair for the scripture records that “he that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” The birth of Christ Jesus will continue to be a moment of Joy for christians, irrespective of what snare insecurity poses.
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT