The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), under the joint leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and His Eminence Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), have raised concern over rising insecurity in Nigeria.

The duo in a statement by NIREC’s Executive Secretary, Fr. Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua, urged government and security agencies to intensify effort in tackling the menace.

They called on all and sundry to work together to find lasting solution to the menace.

“The rate at which banditry, abductions, and killings are increasing in the country is beyond alarming, and there is a need to bring these heinous acts to an end.

“NIREC, therefore, calls on the government and security agencies to intensify their efforts to eradicate these menaces in our society so that citizens can go about their normal business without fear or apprehension.

“The Council would also like to commiserate with the families of all those who lost their lives because of these disdainful acts and also pray that all those still in captivity will be safely reunited with their loved ones.

“Lastly, the Council calls on all Nigerians to be cautious, vigilant and report any suspicious activity, as security is a collective effort and not just the responsibility of the government alone.”

The leaders condemned the murder of 13 farmers in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, District Head of Gatawa, abduction of 150 people in Gobir District of Sokoto State among others.

They condoned with the families of the victims and prayed for the safe release of those still in captivity.