Insecurity: Disability Rights Advocates Ask FG, Stakeholders To Address PWD Needs

ABUJA: As the federal government continues in its avowed efforts to restore security across the country, a non-governmental organisation, Joshua K B Disabilities Rights And Support Initiatives, has called on stakeholders to urgently address the needs of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), especially those impacted by the crisis.

A statement on Saturday by the Rights group said providing such interventions would help PWDs integrate into the economic and political lives of their immediate communities and the country at large.

Executive Secretary of the Nigerian based disabilities advocacy NGO, Joshua Kingsley Benneth, called on “the federal government, especially the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency, state governments, the armed forces and other intervention partners to urgently identify victim-PWDs from these crises and provide such interventions that would help them integrate into the economic and political lives of their immediate communities and the country at large.”

The NGO also bemoaned what it described as the “horrendous list of insecurities and woes, are the killings and abductions in Kwara State, and the general air of danger and fear that has gripped the country, resulting in unquantifiable economic losses and a credibility crisis on the part of the federal government.”

He said that he is convinced that a quick intervention in the case of PWDs would prevent a stage two crisis, such as depression, low self-esteem, poverty, and a host of other debilitating post-crisis trauma that would further deteriorate their situations.

This is as the statement also urged military authorities to provide meaningful economic, social, material, and other forms of assistance and interventions to service men who are now members of the PWDs community following their sacrifices on the line of duty.

It further called the attention of stakeholders to the struggle of PWDs to escape danger due to inaccessible environments, making them targets for abuse, neglect, and exploitation during crises.

The statement read in part, “For over two months, Nigerians have been awash with the threat by the United States President, Donald Trump, to send in troops into Nigeria, to identify and eliminate terrorists and so-called bandits killing citizens and sacking communities.

“The statistics have dwelt largely on the gruesome killings of unarmed and innocent Nigerians in different parts of the country- from Benue to Taraba, Borno to Kogi States, just to list a few.

“Not long ago, the country again woke to a stark reminder of the abduction of schoolchildren with 300 kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State, and another 24 taken hostage from Government Girls Comprehensive secondary school in Maga in Kebbi state.

“Added to this horrendous list of insecurities and woes are the killings and abductions in Kwara State, and the general air of danger and fear that has gripped the country, resulting in unquantifiable economic losses and a credibility crisis on the part of the federal government.

“It therefore did not come as a surprise to many, especially victims of these dastardly attacks, when the United States, through the activism of some of its lawmakers, inspired President Trump to move against Nigeria, especially seeing that the federal government had failed in its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of citizens.

“Whilst Joshua K B Disabilities Rights And Support Initiatives, a non-governmental organization committed to promoting the rights, welfare and wellbeing of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the country joins the millions of well meaning and right thinking Nigerians and the international community in condemning the heinous and barbaric acts of killings, abductions and the insecurity engendered by terrorists, bandits, non-state actors, other criminals, their financiers and supporters whoever and wherever they may be, we call for urgent attention to Persons who may have been disabled by this phenomenon.

“We call on the federal government, especially the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, National Emergency Management Agency, state governments, the armed forces, and other intervention partners to urgently identify victim-PWDs from these crises and provide such interventions that would help them integrate into the economic and political lives of their immediate communities and the country at large.

“We are convinced that such quick interventions would prevent a stage two crisis, such as depression, low self-esteem, poverty, and a host of other debilitating post-crisis trauma that would further deteriorate their situations.

“We also call on military authorities to provide meaningful economic, social, material, and other forms of assistance and interventions to service men who are now members of the PWDs community following their sacrifices on the line of duty.

“As an organisation focused on advancing the course of PWDs, Joshua K B Disabilities Rights And Support Initiatives uses this opportunity to sensitise relevant authorities, CSOs, and other stakeholders that the various violent armed conflicts and attacks in the country have caused physical harm, leading to new disabilities or worsening existing conditions.

“It has caused families to flee homes, lose livelihoods and resources, forcing many, especially old and new PWDs, into begging and extreme hardship.

“Joshua K B Disabilities Rights And Support Initiatives also calls the attention of stakeholders to the struggle of PWDs to escape danger due to inaccessible environments, making them targets for abuse, neglect, and exploitation during crises.

Systems and measures must be put in place to pull PWDs from severe neglect, discrimination, and lack of basic needs like food and healthcare, which they face in camps and displaced settings.”