‘How Security Agencies Are Causing Food Price Increase’

Christian elders under the umbrella of the Nigerian Christian Elders Forum (NCEF), has raised the alarm over food price increases in the country.

They finger the security agencies for the problem and have mentioned the issue of extortion at the many security-mounted checkpoints in the country.

The security checkpoints, they say is one way in which the security agencies have been causing food price increases, advising that this be checked.

Chairman of NCEF and former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr Samuel Danjuma Dani, who stated this in a statement issued in Abuja said security agents mount check points on major roads all over the country and that the illegal levies that they collect at those points add to the price of foodstuff in the market.

The government, he advised, should dismantle these points as a way of containing food price increases.

NCEF also criticised the participation of President Bola Tinubu in the Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia, in November 2024, describing it as “a disturbing signal misrepresenting the constitutional status of Nigeria.”

Dani said rather than promote the unity and secularity of the country, the President’s action deepened religious divide in Nigeria.

The statement read:  “Nigeria remains a deeply divided country with many non-state actors putting pressure on its security.

“While we appreciate the efforts of the military and the other security units, the matter of religious divide remains a thorny issue and religious discrimination is yet to be fully addressed by the government.

“In many parts of Northern Nigeria, violation of citizens’ rights to religious belief is still common.

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“The secularity of the Nigerian State is openly challenged by some relentless religious extremists.

“NCEF is concerned that rather than promote the secularity of the country, the government acted recently to deepen the religious divide.

“The participation of President Tinubu in the Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia, in November 2024, is a disturbing signal misrepresenting the constitutional status of Nigeria.

“Section 10 of the Constitution says, “The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion”. The Constitution is clear on the matter of Government and religion. President Tinubu should not have participated in the Arab-Islamic Summit because Nigeria is neither an Arab country, nor an Islamic state.

“NCEF calls for caution from leaders of the country to ensure that the neutrality of the State on religious issues is not compromised. Section 10 and Section 38(1) of the Constitution are specific on this matter.

“The Government should not be seen as the “agent provocateur” inflaming religious crisis in the country.”

Hunger In The Land

“National Christian Elders Forum is deeply worried about the hardship Nigerians are facing due to hyperinflation in the country.

“Several factors are responsible for the distressing condition the country is in. The main causes of the distress in the land are the dysfunctional policies of government in the past few years, the unbridled corruption amongst government officials, and the perennial attacks on farmers by religious insurgents.

“The responsibility of resolving these crises lies at the doorstep of government. Section 14 (2)b of the Constitution states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government:”

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NCEF calls on the Federal Government to take steps to ensure the “security and welfare” of Nigerians. The masses of Nigeria are suffering.

“Government should take immediate action against the extortion of money by security agents from those transporting foodstuff across the country.

“Various security agents mount check points on major roads all over the country demanding various levies from those transporting foodstuff. These illegal levies add to the price of foodstuff in the market. These extortion check points must be dismantled.