The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN, has advised the federal government to address the various security challenges facing the country immediately.

MUSWEN President, Rasaki Oladejo made the call during the maiden public lecture organised by MUSWEN Health Committee in Ibadan, Oyo State, with the theme, “National Insecurity and Its Psychological Effects on the Citizens; the Islamic and Health Perspectives”,

Oladejo called on the Federal Government to urgently address the root causes of insecurity in Nigeria, noting that the country is facing a lot of security challenges including kidnapping, armed robberies, banditry and other violent crimes.

Oladejo said Nigeria is fraught with challenges where the very fabric of society is tested by numerous threats.

“These have resulted in widespread displacements, food insecurity, and violence and have further worsened the economic disparities amongst the populace.

“As Muslims, we must come together not only to acknowledge the challenges but also to actively engage in finding solutions that uphold the principles of justice, compassion and equity laid down by Allah”.

A consultant psychiatrist at the University College Hospital Ibadan, Dr Jibril AbdulMalik, said good mental health and justice was critical to curbing insecurity in Nigeria.

AbdulMalik, who was a guest lecturer at the event, said the government and parents must work together to nurture children and discourage them from using hard drugs which fuel insecurity.

“Many children have been abandoned to walk about the street without doing any tangible thing and end up being drug addicts, contributing to Nigeria’s insecurity.

Professor AbdulRazzaq Alaro, in his contribution, said for Nigeria to witness security, all forms of injustice must be removed and as well have a broader perspective of fighting insecurity.

Alaro called on Nigerians to trust one another, saying there was a trust deficit among Nigerians against the leaders.

He said, “We need to trust our leaders and our leaders too must trust us to end insecurity and also reduce the number of idle hands that could be easily recruited to perpetrate violence”.

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