Former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Yusuf Ali and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) yesterday proffered solution to the rising state of bombings.<\/span><\/p>\n Akeredolu said it can be solved through state police, and \u00a0the use of what he called Homeland Security Agency, comprising major security agencies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ali said security agencies need to invest in the confidence of Nigerians to give them information and not fear being betrayed, arrested, or detained.<\/span><\/p>\n SERAP said the government needs to do more in ensuring that perpetrators are punished.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Ali said, even though the Boko Haram sect claimed responsibility for the bombings, it would be na\u00efve to think that it is the only group responsible.<\/span><\/p>\n He said a situation where whistle-blowers are arrested, detained or forced to disclose the source of their information does not inspire confidence in people with information to pass it to the police. He said it requires community effort to ensure security.<\/span><\/p>\n Akeredolu said: \u201cThe government is clueless on how to find abiding solutions to the myriad of challenges, in particular grave security challenges, facing the people of this country.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe last series of attacks perpetrated against innocent worshippers on Christmas morning must compel deep introspection on the state of our security. Even the most incurable optimist is now forced to accept what has always been my position –\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAfter the gruesome murder of scores of Christian worshippers in the cowardly attack, government officials have been regaling us, once again, with a litany of deceitful and empty assurances to the effect that Nigerians should go about their businesses while they await yet another event of horrendous proportion. This is the time that all patriotic Nigerians must insist on some urgent security measures.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe government must be made to inaugurate a Homeland Security Agency, comprising all established security outfits as a matter of urgency. In addition to this, the issue of community policing must be given a serious consideration. It is time the National Assembly passed a bill on the creation of State Police for effective and efficient security.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnyone who still wallows in self-delusion that once a stupendous chunk of the expected revenue from the sale of the national resource, a consuming pastime of the profligate, is appropriated for security, everything will be solved is mistaken. \u00a0Now is the time to wean such political office holders of destructive mediocrity,\u201d Akeredolu said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n SERAP, in a statement by its Executive Director, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, said government\u2019s failure to exercise due diligence to prevent the continuing violence and unnecessary loss of lives constitutes a serious breach of its international obligations to ensure protection of the citizens\u2019 right to life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It said: \u201cIn failing to provide adequate security for the citizens and to prevent, investigate and punish perpetrators of these attacks, the Nigerian authorities are failing in their duty under the Constitution and international human rights law and standards to exercise due diligence to respect, protect, and fulfil the victims\u2019 right to life and security of person.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are seriously concerned that tens of thousands have been killed in continuing ethno-religious violence in Jos, Madalla, and other parts of the country, and property destroyed.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe government is required under human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples\u2019 Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which it is a state party, to keep its citizens safe, ranging from the threat of communal violence to sectarian violence.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n