NIGERIAN
SECURITY CHALLENGES: THE WAY FORWARD.
By
Dr. Yusuf J. Aliu
As
a security consulting professional; I still find it difficult to comprehend the
current lacuna in the Nigerian Security System owned to unhealthy rivalry of
superiority complex existing amongst these agencies, (that, expectedly synergy
is the key word) and how this situation has degenerated, allowing miscreants to
unleashed overwhelming security breach prevailing across the country. The
attention of Mr. President is drawn here to engage professionals to address
this ugly trend; it is urgent and now. But one thing am certain about is the
zealous efforts of the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari
to tackle these Hydra headed monsters bedeviling our rich nation.
Honestly,
I agree with many security analysts and other political commentators who have
called for or demanded for declaration of a state of emergency in these
affected States in the country. But one thing I don’t agree with is the notion
that the president is not doing his best to tame these restless anti-social
forces that has become a log in the hitherto smooth wheels of the nation. I
always allow myself a wide grin whenever i hear or read about how the president
and his team have turned blind eyes to the spate of terrorism, kidnapping,
armed robbery and banditry currently witnessed virtually across all regions in
the country.
I
consciously believe that no sane leader would fold his hands and turn blind
eyes to these negative forces in his country. We must accept that, there is a
threatening security situation in the country. It’s also very important to stop
apportioning blames and patriotically halt the blame game and unite to fight
these demons. The situations to be candid are not good for the ears, neither
something enticing for the eyes to see. From the deadly attacks by Boko Haram
across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states; to the rampant cases of banditry in
Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states; the sporadic cases of kidnapping along
Kaduna-Abuja road, and other states across the South-South, Southeast and
Southwest; and the repulsive attacks of unknown gunmen unleashing terror in
Benue, Plateau and Taraba states.
The
narratives are terrifying and if not properly tackled, are fast becoming tags
on the country. But what must be done to checkmate these maladies? Because it
is unacceptable to continue to live in fear in one’s country, as it is equally
unacceptable to allow these wanton killings by armed men to continue without
effectively nipping the dangerous bud. It is sad that a United Nations (UN)
report estimated that over 2.4 million Nigerians were displaced by the Boko
Haram alone, what about the uncounted numbers of Nigerians equally displaced as
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by the other terrible crimes of banditry,
armed robbery and kidnappings across the country? It is time we must come
together and get it right for the love of our country and for God. We cannot
allow these villainous bands of rogues to continue every day without resolving
to collectively end this menace. We must stop the blame game and rally around
the present administration to end these carnage as patriotically displayed by
the President through his frequent travels abroad to solicit for supports to end
these blights.
It
is high time we zoom out our lenses to see and appreciate the efforts so far
carried out by this administration, especially the fact that government forces
have so far gallantly been able to subdued and decimate the Boko Haram terrorist
to appreciable level and rally round the government in order to win this
decisive war. We should appreciate the efforts of the men and women in uniform
who are at the front battling this evil and also pray for the repose of the
souls of those who have sacrificed their lives in the battle against all forms
of insecurity in the country, so that we should live and continue being a
nation.
Top
among our goals is to encourage the government positively and also formulate
logical templates on how to deal with the security situation across the
country, which rationally should be better and more productive than castigating
those at the forefront of ensuring that our lives are safe and our country
still remains identifiable in the world map. It is critical that Nigerians come
together in community participation in fighting the current security situation
threatening our coexistence and the fabric of our foundation. It is pertinent
to note that no security operation can succeed without active community
involvement of the citizenry just as the fact remains that no nation is
conquered without the contribution of its people.
Also
important is the need for the government, corporate bodies and able individuals
to synergy and contribute to a well-equipped team with modern technologies like
effective surveillance tools, drones, helicopters, sophisticated arms and other
21st century security apparatus necessary to confront any threat to the nation
and its people. It is equally important that the welfare of the men and women
fighting these criminal elements, including their families are properly catered
for and well trained and equipped to confront these criminal elements and smoke
them out wherever they hide; because they can only run but can never hide under
the sun. The need to gather intelligence and adequately share same among the
various security agencies is important.
This
should be broadened across border nations and other countries with bilateral
security agreement with Nigeria. Of importance is the security challenges faced
by countries like Cameroon, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Libya,
including those faced in Europe, America, France, Britain and other countries
battling these negative forces of human coexistence and development. What has
failed Nigeria is not lack of the manpower to tackle these menaces but the
general will to come together and confront a common enemy. Nigerians must
eschew their religion, tribal and ethnic difference to win this war or the
marauders will keep having a field day. These security challenges involve all
and sundry as the bullet of a terrorist, a kidnapper, and a bandit knows no
color, shape or size, nor tribe or religion. Therefore, it is the
responsibility of every Nigerian to be cautious of his environment and all its
activities daily.
Finally,
I think it is logical to rally round the present administration in its efforts
to defeat the present security challenges by patriotically saying and doing the
right things. Positive words and outputs that has power and force to propel our
military and other security agencies confidently as they continue to battle
these greedy and salvage forces trying to dismantle our togetherness as humans
with the right to life and existence.
Dr.
Yusuf J Aliu
Management
& Consultant writes from Paris, France.
