Author: The Nation

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Prince Chibudom Nwuche, in this interview with MIKE ODIEGWU, speaks on the festering security challenges in the country and how they can be resolved.

How do you view President Tinubu’s  handling of security situation in the country, especially the rescue of the church worshippers from Kwara and the the school girls from Kebbi State?

The president has done well in reacting promptly to the recent challenges of terrorism in the Northern States of the country. He has also done well in replacing the service chiefs and trying to rejig the security architecture. Some feel that a lot more rejigging needs to be done in order to achieve more effectiveness in securing the country, but let’s wait allow the latest steps to bear fruit. They already appear to be effective in view of the recent rescues of some of the girls from the catholic school in Niger and the girls from the school in Kebbi, and the more aggressive push by our military against the terrorists.

What do you think about linking of armed Fulani herdsmen, bandits, and Boko Haram to series of kidnappings and mayhem? Do their renewed attacks have anything to do with the forthcoming election as being speculated in some quarters?

Yes, it is now a fact that people perpetrating this mayhem are mostly of Fulani extraction. And of course, naturally, I would like to urge the elders and leaders of the Fulanis to call their youths to order in the interest of national unity. Because if one tribe is seen to be terrorising the country,  it will create resentment from other tribes and would not be good for national unity and cohesion. I commend those elders, like Shehu Sani, who have called these criminals out and urged them to stop their acts  of terror. More Fulani leaders and elders should do the same, and let’s call a spade by its name.In terms of whether or not this heightened insecurity happens mostly towards elections, there seems to be a pattern. If you recall, in 2015, there were plenty of rumours that some politicians had imported terrorists into the country in fear that, should they lose the election or not be declared winners if they believed they won. So, these are the problems that this current administration of President Bola Tinubu met on the ground. This matter has been festering for a long time, long before the Tinubu administration. Somehow, the problem wasn’t properly addressed. Otherwise, how can criminals, bandits, and Fulani herdsmen have access to such sophisticated weapons, enough to even threaten our armed forces? I must commend our army for fighting hard in spite of these difficulties and condole the families of those who have died, especially that of General Uba, who was lately killed by terrorists.

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How do you react to the recent decision of the President to withdraw police from VIPs and the call by some National Assembly members to allow the people to bear arms?

Well, it’s important that the police force is encouraged or enabled to secure the society, not just the VIPs, so that Nigerians will feel safe, and even the VIPs will feel safe, that the police are effective enough not to require special police attached to themselves. I also agree with those who say the government should license firearms to Nigerians who are responsible after undergoing vetting. Because to allow only terrorists access to arms and ordinary Nigerians unable to protect themselves is like encouraging terrorism. The government should also allow state police and allow state governments to fund vigilantes and arm them with sophisticated weapons to confront intruders. Just look at the killings of innocent civilians in Plateau and Benue States, whose governors are regularly having to pay condolences to grieving families. If these citizens were armed, they would be better able to ward off these mindless killers and exercise their rights to self-defence as enshrined in our constitution.

Some say the armed Fulani herdsmen are on a jihadist and land grabbing mission and that they are planning to invade Rivers and other states in the Southsouth. So you think it is possible?

Well, people argue that the Fulani incursion of terrorism is part of a larger agenda of land grabbing and displacement and conquest of indigenous communities, especially in Plateau and Benue states. There us clear evidence that these criminals are targeting particular people. On the issue of a Jihad, well, I think any person who believes in pursuing a Jihad against indigenous Nigerians must have a rethink. For those who are supporting them from behind the scenes and enabling them, I urge the government to go after, not just the terrorist but their sponsors and bring them to book so that this nonsense can stop and the country can return to the peace that we’re used to, where no region, religion or tribe is marginalised.

As for coming to the south or to my state, anybody thinking about that must have a rethink. Our people are not the type that you can easily overrun, no matter who your sponsors are. I urge governments to intervene to de-escalate the tensions because people are beginning to think or say that if the government will not protect them, they will protect themselves. And this may lead to a proliferation of arms in the country and result in self-help against particular tribes, which may further escalate tensions in the country.

What do you think about the latest heat of kidnapping upsetting Abuja?

I know that the Minister of FCT, H.E. Nyesom Wike, has put in place measures and has encouraged and prepared the Police force, the military to confront these terrorists. Recently, I heard the story of where a man who was kidnapped by criminals in the Bwari Area Council of

Abuja and was promptly rescued by the FCT police command. I have no doubt that the Minister of FCT will continue to be proactive and will curtail any dangers or threats to the FCT.

Do you agree that we should allow foreign governments to intervene and help us handle these security matters?

My argument is that if the problem appears to have overwhelmed our security agencies, there’s nothing wrong with seeking international assistance because the world is a global village, and what happens in one part affects the other parts. These acts of terrorism have depressed our economy and forced economic migration of Nigerians to other countries. Some of them cause nuisance to their host countries. Therefore, you cannot say that the problem is local or confined to yourself, and others shouldn’t intervene. The effects of the problem impact their countries directly because the citizens flee these troubled areas and seek asylum or refuge in foreign countries, some of them causing nuisances in those countries, and they would have stayed behind in the country, if they didn’t have these acts of terror, and the economy was allowed to thrive in these areas.

What do you say about state governors who seem powerless to curtail the violence in their states?

I will keep urging them to do their best and to within the ambit of the law, form local vigilantes and equip them properly to confront acts of terror. We can’t allow terrorists to be the only bearers of sophisticated arms and leave law-abiding citizens very defenceless or, with less sophisticated arms. Nigerians should be allowed to defend themselves against unprovoked attacks by criminal terrorists, whether they are Fulani Herdsmen or Boko Haram. Governors should assist their citizens to exercise their right to self-defence as enshrined in our constitution and form local vigilantes as well.

Do you think that all those, who negotiate on behalf of the terrorists and bandits should be investigated?

I believe that all those who have, in one way or another, aided the bandits, either by financing, sheltering or even negotiating on their behalf, should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted if found guilty, especially the so-called clergymen who now appear to be the spokespersons of these criminals and terror groups. The government should have zero tolerance for terrorism and banditry.