Insecurity: 5 Sokoto LGAs Under Bandits, Terrorists’ Siege

The security of lives and property in the eastern part of Sokoto State appears to have hit an all-time low as undesirable elements now enjoy free reign in killing, kidnapping, and maiming innocent members of the communities.

Consequently, fear of the unknown has gripped the affected communities, especially those in Isa, Sabon Birni, Rabah, Goronyo, and Illela local council areas of the state, whose natives have been forced to resign their fate in the hands of God.

This is because the people are completely at the mercy of bandits and other criminal elements now roaming the areas freely and daring anyone or group to challenge them.

The new wave of uncertainty now pervading Sokoto East has also resulted in many people not visiting or staying in their native communities, especially against the backdrop of the unwarranted arrests of innocent persons by armed men.

In the latest round of attack unleashed on the area, a flourishing young businessman was brutally shot and killed at close range for reasons not known.

It is a negative development that many of the community members view as premeditated assassination.

Perhaps the only known offence that residents can attribute to the deceased is that he funded the election of a top politician from the state who is currently serving in the National Assembly.

Beyond the slain businessman, many have been kidnapped, tortured and brutally wounded by the bandits in the course of trying to eke out a living either on their farms or on their business premises.

With the escalating level of criminality and violence, all – security agents, farmers, locals, and visitors – have become targets for the terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and armed robbers, who are not even afraid of the security agents.

In some instances, many soldiers, policemen, and personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have also been killed since the deadly gangs took over the five council areas of Sokoto State and have continued to attack anyone in sight. Many communities and hamlets across the eastern part of the state have been set ablaze, forcing residents to flee to urban centres where they feel more secure, thus leading to the emergence of more internally displaced persons centres in Sokoto, the state capital.

The residence of the former governor of the state, Attahiru Bafarawa, was once attacked in Bafarawa when bandits forced their way in with the hope of kidnapping the former governor. They killed a policeman in the process.

Following these repeated attacks by bandits, the Olusegun Obasanjo College of Science and Technology in Bafarawa, which was inaugurated by the former president in 2006, has remained under lock and key and deserted despite the heavy investment made by the state government.

The situation is so bad that in Bafarawa district of Sokoto State, bandits openly wield their weapons without any form of challenge by anyone, either in mufti or in uniform.

The upsurge of displaced persons in the capital has also resulted in the conversion of every available uncompleted structure and building into camps, especially for the underaged and children of school age, who have been forced to stop going to school on account of either the death of their parents or kidnapping of the same.

As a result of the relentless attacks, Sokoto has emerged as one of the worst-hit states in the Northern part of Nigeria in the last two years. Barely a month ago, armed men invaded the immigration checkpoint at Mamman Suka village along Sokoto/Illela Road, shot and killed two immigration officers, and wounded four others. They went away with the brutal murders without any confrontation by any security agents. A resident of Isa Town, Alhaji Yusuf Sada, told Arewa Voice that the town had become a recruitment base for bandits because of the presence of ‘countless informants’.

Sada said: “Isa has become a recruiting centre for bandits with a countless number of informants who give details and movements of people to bandits. I am over 60 years old, but the most unfortunate and annoying thing is that I have to sleep with my mother and her grandchildren in the same room for fear of informers who may likely give information that I am in town.

Imagine, I have to pass my own house and sleep in my mother’s room with the children when I have my own private apartment, just for the sake of fear of unforeseen marauders. I have since relocated to Sokoto, the state capital.”

Due to the fear of bandits and terrorists, who are constantly on the prowl, the 120-kilometre Marnona/Isa Highway has been deserted for over five years now, with citizens of the area taking the risk of crossing over to Zamfara or passing through Sabon Birni, a neighbouring local government, just to stay alive.

But help appears to be on the way for the besieged towns and villages as a retired military officer, Col. Garba Moyi Isa (retd), has begun to clear the bush and make the road more visible to security agents. Col. Isa, a one-time Sokoto commissioner in charge of security, recently sponsored a bush clearing and stone pitching of the abandoned road with a view to giving a clear vision for soldiers and other security operatives on daily patrol of the once busy road.

A top federal public officer from the area is said to have supported Isa’s gesture with N20 million and three vehicles, all in a bid to clear the road and make it more secure for people to use with confidence when travelling.

SOURCE: Vanguard

Benue Killings: Residents Of Ukum Demand Action As Violence Escalates

Residents of Ukum Local Government Area in Benue State are increasingly alarmed by the surge in violence and are now calling for a state of emergency to be declared in the region. Over the past two months, Ukum has been plagued by a string of brutal killings, including the tragic murder of six individuals. Among the victims were a pub operator and a young man, eagerly preparing for his impending wedding in Chitto community.

The situation has grown so dire that armed gangs have taken control of certain areas, erecting roadblocks near the Agboki settlement. These blockades have rendered the Sankera-Chito-Vase road impassable and have led to the tragic deaths of innocent road users and local residents.

Adding to the chaos are deadly clashes between rival militias in the LGA, which have claimed approximately 10 lives. These clashes have also resulted in the destruction of a market and numerous properties in the vicinity.

The violence in Ukum LGA has reached a critical point, with numerous community members falling victim to the merciless bandits who have held sway over the region for the past month. In a tragic turn of events, Jarule Likita, the commander of Benue State Livestock Guards (BSLSG), was killed by gunshots in Tine-Nune settlement on August 20, 2023.

Subsequent days brought further bloodshed, as eight individuals lost their lives on August 21 and 22, 2023. Five of them perished in Chitto, while three met their end in Gbeji communities of Ukum LGA during clashes between two rival groups.

On August 23, 2023, the bandits once again terrorized the area by blocking the Sankara-Chitto road and senselessly taking the lives of three innocent individuals.

The grim circumstances have forced the district head of the community, Tor Ngene, and countless residents to flee Ukum for their lives. This exodus has left fertile farming lands neglected and has significantly disrupted local businesses and daily activities.

Terfa Akpen, a resident deeply affected by these events, lamented, “These are areas where a lot of farming activities usually go on, with massive production of yam and other food items. But with the development, farmers have all abandoned their farms for safety in other communities and in town because no one is sure of what will happen next.”

In a particularly heartbreaking incident, six individuals, including a young man eagerly anticipating his upcoming wedding, fell victim to an ambush on the road. Another devastating incident occurred in Chitto, where the operator of a drinking establishment was murdered by a gang after they accused him of hosting a rival group at his venue.

Chitto has become a ghost town, as the community grapples with indiscriminate and rampant reprisals by bandits operating in Ukum LGA.

Frustrated and deeply concerned by the worsening situation, Chief Shima Ayati, a respected community leader from the area, is urging the state government to declare a state of emergency in Ukum. He attributes part of the blame to the political class, suggesting that they have failed in their responsibilities to ensure peace in the region. Ayati expressed his disappointment, stating, “It is unfortunate that this is happening. After the last elections, people from that area were elected into various positions. We have the senator, State Assembly member, and others, but some of us are disturbed that we are not hearing anything from these elected people over this matter in order to put an end to it.”

The ongoing violence has instilled fear and uncertainty among the local population. Many are left wondering if there may be hidden motives behind the unrest. It is a deeply troubling situation that demands urgent attention and action.

In response, the Benue State Police Command, led by Commissioner Batholomew Onyeka, has deployed its available resources to combat crime and maintain order in the state. Onyeka issued a stern warning to criminals, declaring, “I will not tolerate criminality in Benue State under my watch. I will fight them as long as I remain the commissioner of police.” He also called upon the people of Benue State to cooperate with law enforcement by providing timely and useful information to aid in tackling the wave of crime.

Despite these efforts, the violence in Ukum continues to disrupt daily life, causing immense hardship for the local population and threatening the region’s stability.

NSCDC Employs Relatives Of Operatives Killed By Terrorists In Kaduna

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Tuesday, presented employment letters to relatives of seven of its operatives who were killed by terrorists in Kaduna.

The seven operatives of the NSCDC Kaduna Command were ambushed and killed by terrorists in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state, on January 14.

The employment letters were presented to the relatives by the NSCDC Commandant in Kaduna State, Idris Adah.

Mr Adah said the gesture was in fulfilment of the promise made by the Commandant General of the corps, Ahmed Audi, to the families of the deceased.

“Today it’s with joy that I present to you the CG’s good deeds by handing over the appointment letters to the next of kin of the late officers.

“This is in fulfillment of the CG’s promise to the family; this however cannot replace the lives of our loved ones,” he added.

Mr Adah therefore charged the beneficiaries to do their best and represent their families with honour and dignity.

The commandant said that the Corps remained committed to its responsibility of protecting critical national assets.

“We are working round the clock with other security agencies to fight crime in the state so that we all can sleep with our two eyes closed,” Adah said.

He warned that anyone caught vandalising critical national assets will be arrested and prosecuted.

Baba Audi-Landan, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated the CG for fulfilling the promise.

He said the jobs would not only benefit the families of the deceased operatives but society at large.

SOURCE: NAN

We’ll Never Negotiate With Terrorists, Katsina Governor vows

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, yesterday, said terrorists were increasing attacks on some communities in the state to get the government to the negotiation table.

Radda, who stated this at a briefing marking his administration’s 100 days, vowed that his government would neither negotiate with nor pay ransom to terrorists, no matter what they do.

However, he said his government would accept any terrorist that decides to surrender and renounce his ways.

Noting that his administration would work with security agencies to intensify the onslaught on terrorists to end the challenge within the shortest time possible, the governor disclosed that 1,500 youths from seven councils affected by the problem had been recruited to work with security agencies to fight terrorists.

While affirming that his government purchased armoured vehicles and related equipment worth N7 billion for security agencies, he urged the public not to expect the security problem, which had existed for several years, to be addressed within a short time.

NIGER State Governor, Mohammed Bago, is planning to recruit at least 1,500 youths as forest guards to tackle banditry and terrorism in the state.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, stated, yesterday, that his principal made the disclosure while speaking to newsmen after meeting with vigilante corps on Tuesday.

The CPS quoted the governor as saying: “We intend to employ 1,500 youths into Niger Forest Guards, so that we can take over the forests.”

Bago commended all vigilante corps for complementing the efforts of conventional security operatives in the state.

He revealed that the state government had procured equipment for the corps as an encouragement and to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.

Commander of Vigilante Corps, DSP Alhassan Mohammed (rtd), said his men were gallant, stressing that their vast knowledge of the terrain complements the efforts of the security agencies in combating bandits and other criminal elements in the state.

SOURCE: The Guardian

Kidnapped Akwa Ibom NYSC Members: Fear Grips Parents As Abductors’ Ransom Deadline Expires

Amidst growing apprehension and fear, families of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members hailing from Akwa Ibom State are grappling with the anxiety of an expiring ransom deadline set by the kidnappers of their children. The NYSC members were abducted in Zamfara State by unidentified gunmen about two weeks ago while they were travelling to the Orientation Camp in Sokoto State. Compounding their hardship, the Akwa Ibom State Government has yet to address the situation, leaving the victims’ families in a state of despair.

In a conversation with the MiddlebeltTimes, family members of eight still captive victims revealed that they had been contacted by the kidnappers with a demand for an outstanding balance of N8 million as ransom, in addition to the N5 million already paid. They were warned to comply with the deadline, set for today, or brace themselves for the worst.

One of the victims’ relatives, who chose to remain anonymous, shared with the MiddlebeltTimes the harrowing ordeal of their loved ones. “The young man departed from Akwa Ibom with other corps members on August 16, 2023, and was kidnapped the following night en route to Sokoto,” he narrated. “They initially demanded a ransom of N4 million from each of the eight NYSC members and the AKTC driver, totalling nine victims. The news devastated the mother of the boy, a poor widow and petty trader, who couldn’t afford such a large sum.”

He added, “On the subsequent day, the kidnappers contacted us again, suggesting that the families of all victims collectively raise N10 million. So far, we have managed to send them N5 million. However, they later demanded additional funds for three power bikes, each priced over N1 million. They gave us until Wednesday, September 6, to pay the remaining balance, including the cost of the power bikes, which totals N8 million. They have threatened terrible consequences if we fail to meet the deadline.”

The source highlighted the fact that, despite the families’ pleas for aid at the state House of Assembly, the government has yet to intervene to secure the victims’ release.

Another relative of the kidnapped victims, known only as Mfon, voiced his distress over the looming deadline. “We have been restless, seeking help from anyone who would listen, trying to raise the money,” he stated. “Just this morning, our village head and his wife donated N300,000 to help us. We are still short of N700,000 to reach N1 million, as each family is expected to contribute N1 million to raise the outstanding N8 million ransom.”

17.7m Nigerians hungry, 1m Others Face Acute Food Insecurity

Approximately 17.7 million Nigerians are currently experiencing hunger, with the potential for this number to rise to 25 million if urgent action is not taken. This concerning revelation was made by Nkeiru Enwelum, a Nutrition Officer for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), during a two-day media dialogue on nutrition financing in Nigeria, organized by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with UNICEF.

Enwelum highlighted that among these hungry individuals, approximately one million are suffering from acute food insecurity, a term used to describe people who are uncertain about where their next meal will come from. She also pointed out that Lagos, Borno, Katsina, and Kano have the highest number of food-insecure people in the country, and she expressed deep concern over the widespread issue of malnutrition in Nigeria.

While there is hope that Nigeria may achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target on exclusive breastfeeding by 2030, Enwelum noted that the country is falling short of achieving SDG2, which aims for zero hunger. The gravity of the situation becomes apparent when considering that approximately 35 million children in Nigeria are malnourished, making Nigeria the African country with the highest number of affected children and the second highest in the world.

Enwelum attributed this high burden of malnutrition to factors such as poverty, lack of awareness, and inadequate budgetary allocation for nutrition. Geoffrey Njoku, a UNICEF Communication Specialist, also expressed concerns that both federal and state governments are not allocating sufficient funds to combat the rising levels of malnutrition in the country. Therefore, there is an urgent need to close funding gaps through local resource mobilization and increased awareness efforts by the media.

Zamfara State’s Unyielding Crusade Against Banditry: Governor Lawal Pledges Relentless Action

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has affirmed his commitment to the ongoing battle against banditry in the region. During a recent security council meeting in Gusau, the state capital, Governor Lawal received updates from various security agency leaders on their combined efforts against banditry.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, Governor Lawal emphasized his government’s dedication to prioritizing security concerns. He urged security heads to eradicate bandit camps throughout the state and expressed the state government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of its citizens.

The Governor expressed particular concern about bandit activities in various areas, including the Gusau to Funtua Road, Magami to Dangulbi, Dan Kurmi to Anka Road, and Magami to Dansadau Road. He called on the military and police to deploy patrol platforms and Armored Personnel Carrier vehicles to ensure continuous monitoring of these affected major roads.

Suffering in Silence: Nigeria’s Christians Face Escalating Extremist Killings

In 2023, over 1,000 Christians in Nigeria fell victim to attacks by Islamic extremists, resulting in a tragic loss of life , as reported by International Christian Concern. Various extremist groups, including Boko Haram and Fulani militants, were responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Christians who couldn’t meet their ransom demands.

Community leaders attributed the kidnapping of Christians and destruction of farm produce before harvest to Fulani militants, while Christian religious leaders viewed these actions as a form of persecution. However, the Nigerian government referred to the perpetrators as ‘unknown gunmen’ or ‘bandits.’ In Plateau State, more than 400 Christians lost their lives to Fulani militants in areas such as Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government throughout the year.

In northern Nigeria, seven Christians were kidnapped by Fulani militants, who forcibly took them from a restaurant in Bauchi State on August 21. These terrorists are demanding a substantial ransom of $2,600 USD (N2 million), an overwhelming sum for struggling rural families from Bassa in Plateau State. Their lives have already been devastated by terrorist activities in their hometowns, and even a simple trip for food is fraught with danger due to constant threats. Sadly, many Christian villages in the region have fallen under the control of these Fulani terrorists, leaving residents without safety even in their supposed places of refuge.

Five of the kidnapped individuals were fortunately released on August 23 and quickly taken to the hospital, but two others met a tragic end for failing to meet the ransom demands. The militants openly admitted that they were financing further attacks on Christian communities through their kidnappings.

While the National Leader of the Irigwe Chiefdom in Plateau speaks out about the persecution of Christians, the Nigerian government’s silence leaves persecuted Christians at the mercy of these armed individuals.

INSECURITY: Despite Improvement, Reign of Terror Continues

By Clifford Ndujihe

TEARS flowed heavily on Friday, August 25, 2023, as 22 military personnel including a Major, two NAF helicopter pilots, and 19 soldiers, airmen and ratings were given a ceremonial national burial at the Military Cemetery, Abuja.

The deceased were among 25 officers and soldiers killed in an ambush as they were moving towards Zungeru, Niger State, to counter bandits and terrorists who were attacking communities in the area. A NAF helicopter evacuating soldiers wounded in action also crashed at Wushishi, Niger State, killing the injured security men.

Speaking at the teary occasion, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa, vowed to avenge the death of the soldiers, saying that none of those responsible for their deaths would go scot-free.

He swore: “They would be hunted down by all means. Those that did this and those that have continued to attack, kill our men, wherever they are; we will get them out, we will smoke them out, and we will ensure that they never have any other opportunity to kill any other person, that I assure you.”

Indeed, the security agencies must avenge the death of the soldiers and other victims of insecurity across the country.

Although there appears to be an improvement in the war against insecurity since President Bola Tinubu took over on May 29, 2023, it is not yet Uhuru.

Many parts of Nigeria are still killing fields as bandits, terrorists, gunmen, armed herders, criminals and insurgents unleash terror and mayhem on hapless citizens killing and kidnapping for ransom and rituals.

As of August 29, no fewer than 1,406 Nigerians had been killed. These include 94 deaths recorded between May 29 and 31, 690 (June), 415 (July) and 207 (as of August 28).

The 1,406 deaths between May and August 2023 are fewer than the 2,897 recorded between June and August 2015 during the first 100 days of immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The figures are based on reported cases and data obtained from the Nigeria Security Tracker, NST, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Africa programme.

The deaths arose from terrorism, banditry, Herders/farmers clashes, communal crises, cult clashes, and extra-judicial killings among others.

The 1,406 death toll is conservative because only reported cases from multiple sources were included. And many cases are under-reported or not reported at all.

Security as a top priority
In his inauguration speech, President Tinubu said he would make security a top priority because development could not take place without it.

“Security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence. To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security doctrine and its architecture.

“We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number. We shall provide better training, equipment, pay and firepower,” he said.

Tinubu’s efforts
To push through his promise, President Tinubu, on June 1, ordered Service Chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies to crush criminals and anyone involved in oil theft, saying that his administration would not tolerate criminality.

Tinubu stated this in his maiden official meeting with Security and intelligence heads led by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Among those at the meeting were the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao; and Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba; Director-General of the Department of State Service, DSS, Yusuf Bichi; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

Before he took over, insecurity had claimed 98,112 lives in 12 years; 27,311 persons in former President Buhari’s first term; and 35,900 persons between 2019 and May 29, 2023, according to the NST.

To reverse this trend, Tinubu said he was going to embark on a lot of reforms in terms of our security architecture, and mandated the security agencies to come up with a blueprint, and redouble their efforts because, as far as he is concerned “this country should not be on its knees struggling while other countries are working and achieving greater heights.”

Tinubu sacks service chiefs
Despite the order, the killing spree continued forcing President Tinubu to sack the service chiefs on June 19 when he appointed pioneer Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as the 10th National Security Adviser, NSA.

The new service chiefs, who were appointed on the same day as Ribadu were Major-General C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, CDS; Major-General T. A. Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, CoAS; Rear Admiral E. An Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, CNS; AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, CAS; Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP; and Major-General EPA Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, CDI.

On August 21, Tinubu swore in Mohammed Badaru as Defence minister and Bello Matawalle as Minister of State Defence alongside 43 other ministers, charging them that their highest obligation is to restore public faith in government so that people can once again believe that the right hands in government can perform.

Tasks before security agencies, defence ministers
As it is, the security chiefs and defence ministers have their hands full. They must help the president deliver on his promises by securing the country.

Currently, Nigeria (8.065) is the 8th most terrorised country among 163 nations in the world, according to the Global Terrorism Index, GTI. Even Myanmar (7.977) and the Niger Republic (7.616) fared better than Nigeria in the GTI.

Nigeria was better than Afghanistan (8.822), Burkina Faso (8.564), Somalia (8.463), Mali (8.412), Syria (8.161), Pakistan (8.16) and Iraq (8.139).

GTI is a composite measurement made up of four indicators: incidents, fatalities, injuries and hostages. To measure the impact of terrorism, a five-year weighted average is applied.

The GTI is a comprehensive study analysing the impact of terrorism on 163 countries covering 99.7 per cent of the world’s population.

The GTI report is produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, IEP, using data from Terrorism Tracker and other sources. The GTI produces a composite score to provide an ordinal ranking of countries on the impact of terrorism. The GTI scores each country on a scale from 0 to 10; where 0 represents no impact from terrorism and 10 represents the highest measurable impact of terrorism.

QUOTE

The 1,406 deaths between May 29 and August 2023 are fewer than the 2,897 recorded between June and August 2015 during the first 100 days of immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

As it is, the security chiefs and defence ministers have their hands full. They must help the president deliver on his promises by securing the country.

SOURCE: Vanguard

Akwa Ibom Families Cry Out Over Students Held Hostage, AKTC’s Silence Decried

In a heart-wrenching incident that has sent shockwaves through Akwa Ibom State, eleven Prospective Corp Members (PCMs) from local tertiary institutions embarked on a journey of hope, only to face a nightmare of despair. These young students, most of them Akwa Ibomites, were en route to Zamfara State when they encountered kidnappers on the perilous Sokoto axis of their route.

Tragedy struck as three of the PCMs narrowly escaped capture, while one brave soul was wounded while attempting to flee from their captors. Presently, eight victims remain in the merciless custody of the kidnappers.

What makes this ordeal all the more heart-wrenching is the dire financial situation of the victims’ families. Initially, the kidnappers demanded an exorbitant four million naira per person for their release, a sum beyond the means of the struggling parents during these challenging economic times. Desperation led to a compromise, with parents contributing a painstakingly gathered five million naira for the release of all eight victims.

However, their hopes were dashed when the kidnappers, in an act of sheer cruelty, only released the injured victim. To add insult to injury, they demanded an additional five million naira and three power bikes for the remaining students’ freedom.

The parents of these captive students find themselves in a harrowing and helpless situation, their only solace being their faith in the State Government and their determination to see their children safely returned. The Akwa Ibom State Government, while unable to directly negotiate with kidnappers, must explore every avenue to ensure the safety of these young lives.

In the midst of this tragedy, a glaring question arises: why has AKTC, a transport company bearing the insignia of the Akwa Ibom State government, shown minimal effort in resolving this crisis? Is it because their own children are not directly affected, or do they believe it doesn’t impact their business? AKTC has long faced criticism for recklessness and neglect in passenger safety and comfort, leading some to question their corporate conscience.

This crisis should serve as a wake-up call to us all, highlighting where our priorities lie as a society. It is imperative that we rally together, raising our voices and drawing attention to this grave issue. These students deserve our unwavering support, and it is not only the government but also individuals, companies, and businesses who must extend a helping hand.