Category: Letters

Sir: The task before the service chiefs is herculean. Security experts and other well-meaning Nigerians have urged them to find lasting solutions to the security challenges bedevilling the country.

Based on President Bola Tinubu’s antecedents, expectations of Nigerians were high when he took over the reins of power, promising that his administration would hit the ground running by finding a lasting solution to the nation’s debilitating security situation, which invariably impacts negatively on the economy. 

But, six months down the line, the hope of a more secure Nigeria appears to be wavering, as reports continue to indicate that the security situation remains as worrisome as it was under the immediate past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. For instance, a July 2023 report by a body, Global Rights, entitled: ‘’ Mass Atrocities in Nigeria from 2019 to 2023’’ claimed that no fewer than 555 Nigerians were killed, while 267 others were kidnapped across the country in the first month of the new administration. 

It also added that the North-central zone ravaged by banditry had been worst hit with 312 deaths in the first 35 days of the new administration. The Northwest, according to the report, account for 123 deaths, while the Southeast and the Northeast accounted for 66 and 38 deaths respectively. Eleven lives were said to have been lost in South-south within the period under review, while the Southwest lost five lives.

The current administration has what it takes to reverse the trend, if only it will demonstrate the willingness to insulate the operations and the activities of the security agencies from politics.

What the country experienced during the Buhari administration has shown that security should not be mixed with politics. Under the immediate past president, security operatives were not given free hand to carry out their duties professionally. A situation where operatives would apprehend criminals but are later compelled by the top political echelon to release such suspects under the guise that they are now repentant leaves much to be desired. 

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These are people suspected to have murdered other people and rendered many children orphans and many women turned widows. Some military operatives were also killed during the murderous activities of the so-called repentant terrorists. 

Now that we have new security chiefs, my expectation from them is to recognise that it was the politicisation of security activities was the undoing of our past service chiefs. If the current service chiefs fail to impress it on the commander-in-chief that politics should be separated from military functions, they will not be able to perform well. The president should give them the free-hand to carry out their duties. 

I know the security challenges in the country are daunting, but given the conducive atmosphere, I am sure, we will achieve appreciable improvement in dealing with the situation. We do not want a repeat of what happened under the past administration, where the then minister of information and presidential spokespersons would come out to tell Nigerians, ‘’we are on top of the situation’’ when in reality they were on top of nothing. 

If you check the statistics of invasions in certain parts of Plateau State and Benue State, it shows that, this security challenges are far from being eradicated. Similarly, if you go to the Southeast, people are scared of going out, and the economy of the region is down because of the fear of “unknown gunmen”. The security chiefs should, therefore, be given the free-hand to put down their foot as military men. 

The federal government should invest more in technology to enable the nation’s security agencies perform optimally. Crime is being fought these days with technology and Nigeria should not be an exception. Drones, CCTV cameras, communication gadgets, satellites, helicopters and aircrafts are some of the equipment that serious security-conscious countries avail themselves of.

There is the need for the service chiefs to work in synergy. The federal government should also give the welfare of the nation’s security operatives the urgent and serious attention it demands, because providing military personnel with quality living standard, attractive family insurance, constant training and drilling with modern military hardware would go a long way in boosting their morale and bring out the best in them. 

The government must equip its security agencies with capacity, both on land, air and sea. There is urgent need to critically look into the security architecture, fine-tune things and ensure that everything is put right. I am optimistic that, as soon as these key fundamental issues are resolved, insecurity will subside. 

• Dr Goodluck F.T. Uguoji, Akute, Ogun State.