The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Edo killing and spate of insecurity

    Edo killing and spate of insecurity

    • By Sunday Olagunju

    Sir: Failure of all governments in Nigeria to decisively take insecurity in its entire gamut, has contributed to the rise in mob actions and jungle justice.

    Sadly, the 16 hunters brutally murdered in a despicable manner recently in Uromi, Edo State, by people who stereo-typically mistook them as kidnappers, are victims of unresolved rapacious national insecurity.

    Kidnapping and other heinous acts, especially across state borders, have assumed dangerous proportions and their pervasiveness seems to have brought out the worst criminal tendencies among Nigerians of all nuances.

    Even if the hunters were in fact kidnappers, their killers having captured them could still have handed them to the security personnel instead of the outright jungle justice meted to them. They should have presumed then innocent until proved otherwise. It is important that travellers along state borders carry means of identification to show the authenticity of their personality.’

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    The Edo incident also brought to the fore the poor education of most of the vigilante groups who roam the major state borders across the country and the need to get most of them informed and better educated.

    With minimal education, the mob in Edo State should be able to differentiate kidnappers from genuine hunters; both carry guns, yet their disposition would have shown some good difference. The episode once again calls for a national declaration of state of emergency on insecurity, especially the notorious kidnapping which seems to have assumed a national crisis, holding the entire country at its jugular.

    Despite Nigerians’ desperate yearning for concrete actions against kidnapping and other heinous act, the idea of people taking laws into their hands through wanton killing without enough proof should be rightly discouraged. Concerted efforts should be made by all governments in the country to tackle headlong the escalating insecurity throughout the nooks and crannies of the country.

    Both Edo State and the federal government should thoroughly investigate the Uromi incident with a view to unearthing the circumstances leading to such inhuman and despicable action. The cause of such mistake should be unravelled and future occurrence prevented. Meanwhile, the incident should not be allowed to degenerate to North vs South confrontation as could be gleaned from the unsavoury comments over the incident by political do-gooders.

    •Sunday Olagunju,

    Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • FUOYE: Who is after Professor Fasina?

    FUOYE: Who is after Professor Fasina?

    • By Cecilia Ikeoluwa

    Sir: While it is easier to observe the cause of development in the transformation of the individual person or nation-states, the observation becomes blurrier when development is to be assessed in how institutions turn the curve from their formative period to how they become great. The confusion in monitoring development in institutions could be explained to the complexities in institutions and the dynamics of the human factor that operate within them.

    This perplexing situation very well explains the state of things at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).

    Created in 2011 by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, FUOYE like every other citadel of learning had its teething problems, and much of it had to do with accreditation of programmes, building adequate manpower that will engineer the take-off of the school, revenue generation and all sorts.

    In its first 10 years, the pioneering administrators of FUOYE created what could be described as the foundation upon which the future development of the institution will be built. The actual building of FUOYE started in 2021 when the current vice-chancellor of the institution, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina took the mantle of leadership.

    On inauguration as the vice chancellor in 2021, one of his first major tasks was to foster a peaceful and merit driven academic and business environment in the administration of the school. On taking office, Fasina inherited a university that was frequently in the news for negative reasons. The situation was dire, marked by recurring student and staff unrest, with protests that sometimes led to the closure of the university. Determined to end this troubling pattern, his administration’s first decisive step was to establish mechanisms aimed at fostering peace and stability within the institution.

    As one of the pioneering students of FUOYE, I know quite well that the academic atmosphere in the school has far improved from what it was in my days. Unlike in the past when there were no regularities to students’ admission and few programmes were on the offer, the FUOYE of today has greatly transformed to becoming a modern citadel of learning and much of the credit for this transformation is due to the meticulousness that the Fasina administration employs in running the affairs in FUOYE.

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     Today, FUOYE is recognized as the fourth most sought after university for admission in the whole of Nigeria and the reputation of the university is permeating to neighbouring countries.

    In the league of universities founded in 2011 by the Jonathan administration, FUOYE towers far ahead of its peers and has amassed the capacity to give the long established universities a run for their money and accolades.

     Unfortunately and in spite of all of the achievements that Professor Fasina has recorded in FUOYE, it is disheartening that some agents provocateurs are hell bent in soiling the integrity of FUOYE through an attempt to enmesh the vice chancellor in an imaginary sex scandal.

    It is bad enough that the Nigeria Police had caused an investigation into the petition in 2023, with the police dismissing the allegations as, “a ruse.” It is worse that unrelentingly, these purveyors of ill wishes to FUOYE engage women advocacy groups to further embarrass the alma mater forgetting that whatever affects the head, affects the whole.

    But it is good enough, too, that the governing council of FUOYE has also caused an investigation into the situation. The end point of all of these is that while sexual harassment cannot be condoned in any civilized environment, the recrimination of same should not be a weapon of personality destruct. And it is on this note that the investigation by the panel of the governing council is expected the exhaust the full balance of fairness in the matter.

    •Cecilia Ikeoluwa,

    Abeokuta, Ogun State.

  • Kwara and the challenge of past failures in healthcare

    Kwara and the challenge of past failures in healthcare

    • By Babajide Fadoju

    Sir: For far too long, the healthcare sector in Kwara State suffered from the neglect and mismanagement of past administrations. Up until the most recent tenure, the state’s medical training system was left to rot.

    Facilities deteriorated, accreditation was lost, and young people who aspired to become healthcare professionals were left stranded. It was a damning legacy of abandonment that forced many Kwarans to seek training opportunities elsewhere, draining the state of potential and talent.

    That dark era has since ended. Under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Kwara State has reclaimed its place as a serious player in the healthcare sector.

    The recent approval by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to allow Sobi Specialist Hospital, Ilorin, and General Hospital, Offa, to train nursing interns is nothing short of a landmark achievement. For the first time, Kwara will be able to groom its own nurses rather than watching them leave for other states in search of training opportunities.

    This is not just about infrastructure; this is about restoring dignity to a profession that had been disregarded by previous administrations.

    Let’s be clear: the decay did not happen overnight. The previous political leaders had nearly two decades to build a robust healthcare training system, but they failed spectacularly. Instead of investing in critical manpower development, they focused on politics of patronage, leaving the healthcare sector in shambles. Nursing schools struggled for accreditation, hospitals lacked the personnel to provide quality care, and patients bore the brunt of a failed system.

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    The absence of proper training institutions meant that Kwara had to rely heavily on importing medical personnel from other states.

    The result? A fragile, unsustainable system that left communities vulnerable. It was an avoidable crisis, but past leaders simply didn’t care enough to fix it.

    Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration has rewritten the script. Unlike his predecessors, he recognizes that investing in healthcare is not just about building hospitals—it’s about ensuring those hospitals are staffed with well-trained professionals. His administration’s efforts in securing accreditation for the training of both pharmacy and nursing interns speak volumes.

    For the first time, Kwara’s young, aspiring nurses have a home-grown path to professional excellence.

    This means better healthcare services, reduced brain drain, and greater employment opportunities within the state.

    And it doesn’t stop at nursing. Governor AbdulRazaq has prioritized the overall revitalization of the health sector, from equipping hospitals to improving staff welfare. The government has been intentional about fixing dilapidated health centres, upgrading medical equipment, and recruiting more healthcare workers.

    The implications of this achievement cannot be overstated. With an expanded capacity to train nurses and other medical professionals, Kwara is positioning itself as a healthcare hub in Nigeria. In the coming years, we can expect improved healthcare delivery; more trained nurses mean better patient care across the state. Young people who previously had to leave for other states can now build their careers at home. A well-functioning healthcare sector attracts investment and boosts the local economy. With better-trained personnel, health outcomes will improve, saving lives and reducing preventable deaths.

    The accreditation of Kwara’s hospitals for nursing internships is not just another policy move; it is a bold step toward securing the state’s future.

    Kwara’s healthcare sector is on the rise, and for the first time in decades, we can say with confidence that the future looks promising. The failures of the past are being corrected, and Kwara is finally getting the healthcare system it deserves.

    •Babajide Fadoju,

    Lagos.

  • A sacrilegious attack on human lives

    A sacrilegious attack on human lives

    • By Kene Obiezu

    Sir: On March 27, 16 hunters of Northern extraction travelling from Port Harcourt to Kano for Sallah ran into killers stationed at Uromi, Edo State. All it took was a false alarm branding the travellers bandits for the killers to mobilize their bloodlust, bayonets, and butchery skills and fires. All 16 hunters were killed and fed to the fire. The killings have since provoked a national outcry.

    There is a sense in which smouldering anger in many Nigerians has congealed into murderous rage. Many Nigerians driven to despair by the insecurity ravaging the country, disillusioned with the system which fails to stem the tide and desperate for some action are too easily carried away by the promise of jungle justice. All they often need to ignite their killer rage are killer cries.

    All over Nigeria, there is a mounting sense of frustration that the criminal justice system always crumbles under pressure, with criminals often getting what amounts to no more than a slap on the wrist.

    Even worse is the fact that many Nigerians believe rather justifiably that the Nigerian criminal justice system is selective, favouring the powerful and punishing the poor. So, for many Nigerians, whenever the opportunity arises to execute swift justice, they take it with both hands.

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    To fix this murderous mentality of mob justice, which typically catches innocent people cold, Nigeria must reform its justice system to preclude jungle justice. With Nigeria’s criminal justice system struggling so badly, many criminals are on the loose seeking the next spot for their criminal adventures. In Uromi, they laid low under the guise of vigilantes until unsuspecting hunters walked into their trap.

    A nationwide condemnation has followed the killing, but the difference that must be made this time around is that condemnation must yield concrete action, which is the prosecution and incarceration of the perpetrators. All those who partook in the gruesome killings of the innocent hunters are heartless criminals who have no place in any sane society. They must be transparently tried and punished in accordance with the law.

    Unfortunately, some Nigerians have invoked memories of lynching in other parts of the country to play ethnic and religious cards, but a killing is a killing and no human life is inferior to the other.

    Nigerians must refuse to become that country where the gruesome killing of citizens is not only left unpunished but justified under any guise.

    •Kene Obiezu,

    keneobiezu@gmail.com

  • President Tinubu at 73: A quick reflection

    President Tinubu at 73: A quick reflection

    By Abdulaziz Abdulaziz

    Sir: As I prepared for the special Iftar dinner held Saturday evening in honour of President Bola Tinubu, thoughts about the man race in my mind: What is unique about the president? What do I admire about him? What are the memorable moments with him?

    First, President Tinubu is very human and humane. He is human in the sense that he is humble, authentic and true to himself. No airs, no pride, no cosmetics. He relates well with his old friends, associates and staff in a convivial atmosphere devoid of haughtiness associated with people in power. He shares jokes less than he scorns. He could be stern and soft making sure that work atmosphere is not bereft of humanity or too jovial to be mistaken as laissez faire. He is generous with laughter when it is evoked but could be too sober in addressing serious issues that you’d wonder if he would breakdown. That’s the human part.

    President Tinubu is also very humane. As a person, he is generous and compassionate to those he could reach with his hands. He never forgot friends or families of dead associates and colleagues. He kept to that even with his current tedious job. His good heart makes him the last person to hurt. Instead, he ignores. The president certainly bears no evil intentions against anyone or a collective. The story of his large-heartedness is well told that it warrants no repeating here. He accepts prodigal sons back with forgiving smile.

    An important lesson from his life is steadfastness and perseverance. They brought him to where he is. President Tinubu, like the proverbial person who has been there for long, has surely seen a lot. He had seen changing times: real and fake smiles, shifting alliances, broken loyalties, back-stabbing and gang-ups, yet, he remained focused and patient. Like the Rock of Gibraltar he remains unshaken and unperturbed. But God works in mysterious ways. For example, some of the arrowheads of Tinubu’s estrangement from a government he helped form in 2015 are today out in the cold. But while he took the unfortunate happenings of that period with steely resolve and perseverance, they are too weak to persevere being out of the table. While he was mature and statesmanlike, they are crying hoarse like a kid deprived of precious doll.

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    As a leader, the president amazes me with his resolve to take bold even if costly decisions. He embodies the principle that leadership is not about taking popular decisions but about taking right decisions even if painful and inconveniencing. Like a physician on duty, President Tinubu’s administration of some painful reforms was not contemptuous of the feeling of the people, as some analysts are wont to paint. They were, rather, out of courage to take necessary actions to stop the haemorrhage of our country. The haemorrhage may favour those of us now but if not stopped it would certainly prove fatal for our future.

    The president was conscious that those actions were not popular. In fact, he was not unconscious that they could be costly politically like it was seen happen in many countries. But the statesman that he is he chose the country over himself.

    Mr the President is being proved right with the emerging light from the economic tunnel.

    On the occasion of his birthday, I pray fervently for better health and greater wisdom as he steers the ship of the nation to the shore of progress, stability and development.

    •Abdulaziz Abdulaziz,

    Abuja. 

  • Artificial Intelligence: Bridging innovation and opportunity in Africa

    Artificial Intelligence: Bridging innovation and opportunity in Africa

    • By Olusoji Adeyemo

    Sir: At its core, Artificial intelligence (AI) involves machines mimicking human intelligence to perform tasks such as understanding language, recognizing images, or making decisions. In Nigeria, one of the most significant impacts of AI can be seen in the fintech sector. Digital lending platforms like Carbon or FairMoney leverage AI algorithms to assess creditworthiness, granting loans to individuals without traditional credit histories. Similarly, mobile payment systems use AI to detect fraudulent transactions, keeping users’ funds secure. These tools are reshaping access to financial services for millions of unbanked and underbanked Nigerians.

    Agriculture is another industry where AI is making a difference, not only in Nigeria but across the African continent. In countries where agriculture is the backbone of the economy, AI tools are helping farmers improve productivity. For instance, AI-powered drones and sensors monitor crop health and soil conditions, enabling better decision-making. Platforms like Hello Tractor, often referred to as the “Uber for tractors,” use AI to connect farmers with tractor services, optimizing farming operations and increasing yields. Such innovations address food security concerns and support rural economies.

    The healthcare sector is also reaping the benefits of AI, particularly in regions with limited medical resources. In Nigeria, AI-driven tools are being used to diagnose diseases like malaria and tuberculosis with greater accuracy. Chatbots like Ubenwa analyze infants’ cries to detect signs of birth asphyxia, a leading cause of neonatal deaths. These applications are lifesaving, especially in rural areas where access to specialist doctors is scarce. Across Africa, initiatives like Zipline use AI-guided drones to deliver medical supplies to remote locations, further enhancing healthcare accessibility.

    AI’s role in education is another critical area of impact. In a continent with high levels of school-age population and limited teacher availability, AI-powered platforms are helping bridge gaps. Digital learning tools and virtual tutors personalize education, offering students tailored support and enabling self-paced learning. For example, Nigerian edtech platforms like uLesson are already leveraging AI to make quality education more accessible, even in underserved communities.

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    While the potential benefits of AI in Africa are immense, challenges remain, particularly when it comes to infrastructure and awareness. Many Nigerians, and indeed Africans at large, may view AI as a distant technology meant for Silicon Valley or Beijing. But the reality is that AI can solve local problems in ways that are deeply relevant. For example, AI is used in applications to predict flooding in Nigeria’s river basins, helping communities prepare for natural disasters. However, the success of these solutions depends on improving internet penetration, electricity supply, and digital literacy across the continent.

    Ethical considerations are also crucial. As we embrace AI, we must ask: Who controls the data? In a market like Nigeria, where data privacy concerns are growing, it’s essential that AI systems are developed responsibly. This includes ensuring that algorithms don’t inadvertently favor one demographic over another or deepen social inequalities. Additionally, there’s the question of job displacement. While automation can free up workers from repetitive tasks, it also calls for reskilling and preparing the workforce for jobs in an AI-driven economy.

    It’s important to stress that AI is not here to replace humans but to augment human potential. In the Nigerian oil and gas industry, for instance, AI is being used to analyze seismic data, but the expertise of geologists and engineers remains vital for decision-making. Similarly, in urban planning, AI can map informal settlements and propose infrastructure improvements, but the local knowledge of community leaders is indispensable.

    For everyday Nigerians, embracing AI starts with understanding its practical implications. Whether it’s using AI to optimize traffic flow in Lagos through smart systems or adopting AI-driven mobile health apps, the technology is becoming an integral part of daily life. It’s not about being a tech expert but about being open to new ways of solving challenges and improving livelihoods.

    The emergence of AI in Nigeria and Africa as a whole is not just about adopting global trends. It’s about tailoring these innovations to fit our unique needs and aspirations. As we harness AI to tackle local challenges, we are not only keeping pace with the world but actively shaping the narrative of how technology can uplift economies and communities. With the right investments in infrastructure, education, and ethical practices, AI has the potential to be a powerful force for good across the continent.

    •Olusoji Adeyemo,

    mastersoji@gmail.com

  • Bauchi and the burden of forced marriages

    Bauchi and the burden of forced marriages

    • By Kene Obiezu

    Sir: At a recent media dialogue organized by Plan International, a non-governmental organization, to discuss and strengthen the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Act, participants revealed that Bauchi State is one of the states in Nigeria with a prevalence of forced marriage, with over 60% of girls married before they are 18 years old. Participants added that the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2018) indicates that 43 percent of girls are married before the age of 18, with 17 percent married before 15.

    They linked the contributing factors to poverty, cultural norms, lack of education, and weak law enforcement.

     A society that allows for a loose definition of marriage is one that must be prepared to condone anything in the name of marriage, just as Nigeria is doing at the moment. While other forward-thinking and forward-looking societies are engaging their girls in long-term planning, making space for them to thrive, and creating safe spaces for them to realize their undoubted potentials, it is a pity that some states like Bauchi are preoccupied with given their girls away in marriage as early as they can. It begs the question of what the state government is doing.

    Of course, for those who wield the practice of forced marriage like a weapon, there are the twin safety nets of religion and superstition. When put on the spot, their arguments in defence of child marriages are often laden with religious innuendos. In effect, they sacrifice the tangible to the intangible and invisible and pepper their justification with religious connotations.

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    But it is not sustainable. Not in the least. Countries around the world are showing what girls can do when they are given wings to fly. Even in a country overrun by terror like Afghanistan, the few girls who have been able to put their head outside the suffocating cloud of oppression and discrimination have shown that they are unstoppable.

    Women continue to live extremely difficult experiences in Nigeria. From birth, it is almost as if women are hunted with diverse experiences, marking one stage of life to the other.

    Yet, Nigeria remains the way it is—destabilized by dysfunction and crippled by corruption.

    Women have a role to play in the emancipation and development of Nigeria as things stand. Until they are protected and given their rightful place, Nigeria will remain hobbled and humiliated.

    •Kene Obiezu,

    keneobiezu@gmail.com

  • Military and above the law syndrome

    Military and above the law syndrome

    • By IfeanyiChukwu Afuba

    Sir: In just a space of three weeks, we have had the misfortune of encountering two demonstrations of this rascality. On March 6, a contingent of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) soldiers invaded the premises of Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company to terrorise the staff. The Punch, whose correspondent, Dare Olawin alongside a TVC photographer and another reporter were caught up in the brutalisation, presents some insights into the anarchy: “The NAF operatives led by a woman and some men in mufti seized the office of Ikeja Electric for over one and a half hours, beating the workers and other people sighted on the premises. The roads leading to the office were blocked, giving the military men a field day to molest those within the premises of Ikeja Electric.”

    And what was the crime of these electricity workers? Spokesman of IKEDC, Kingsley Okotie, said the company disconnected the Air Force base after its energy indebtedness hit N4billion.

    Two weeks after, Air Force authorities have not disputed this account. On the contrary, Air Officer, Logistics Command, AVM Adeniran Ademuwagun reportedly promised that the incident will be investigated and those responsible made accountable.

    But even before AVM Ademuwagun’s declaration would become stale news, thunderstorm broke again. Soldiers from 15th Field Engineers Regiment were reported to have descended on staff of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Badagry Injection Substation. Sunday Oduntan of the Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors told Vanguard (March 16) that the ‘soldiers took the Distribution System Operator and a Proton Security Officer to their barracks where they were beaten before being released at around 4am.’

    And what was the crime of these Nigerians? Their claim was poor electricity supply to their barracks in the last one week, despite the fact that their Commanding Officer, Lt Col S. Lawan, was duly informed of the ongoing Transmission Company of Nigeria upgrade in Agbara.”

    What immediately strikes on hearing of these kinds of assaults is the sense of deja vu. It all seems so familiar. The regularity of their occurrence, the impunity associated with past displays of power drunkenness, makes it difficult not to be cynical about the Nigerian system.

    Public officers and powerful individuals acting in private capacities continue to perpetrate illegalities knowing that there would be no pushback. In societies with disposition to citizen rights and responsibilities, even less serious infractions are vigorously protested. Our lack of protest culture means that we end up condoning public excesses. Victims are discouraged from crying out. And the offenders keep getting emboldened.

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    One wonders what actually went on in the minds of those referenced soldiers. Did they actually think that the decision to employ violence was justified? Even in war, are there no longer rules of engagement? Are unarmed civilians to be treated like combatants? What if lives were lost in the brutal invasion of the electricity companies?

    Did the possibility occur to the rampaging soldiers that there could be spouses, daughters and sons of military officers at the scene of those assaults? And what if they accidentally became part of those killed or maimed?

    I believe it is pointless asking if the soldiers thought it was right to be using electricity without paying for the service. Were these soldiers bothered at any point about the consequences of their destructive outing? Not likely. Consciousness of institutional repercussions of cowboy behaviour would definitely have had restraining effect. Indeed, a tradition of zero tolerance for abuse of power would have drastically reduced the trend of attacks against civilians.

    A pattern of irresponsible conduct by officers invariably tarnishes the image of the organisations they represent. Rascality undermines professionalism. An atmosphere of permissiveness, sooner than later, leads to decline in competence and work performance. Moreover, the collapse of professional discipline is fraught with danger as it exposes everyone, repeat, everyone, to the blind fury of a burst dam.

    Steps should be taken to re-orientate members of the armed forces as well as all paramilitary organisations on the demands of modern democratic society. Are these constituencies exposed to the fundamentals of democratic order both in their training and post training operations? Such concepts as the rule of law; supremacy of the constitution; separation of powers; fundamental human rights; burden of proof; an accused’s presumption of innocence until proven guilty etc. ought to be emphasized in the programmes of these institutions. To these continuous education schemes should be added working visits to legislative, judicial and selected administrative centres. Internalised sense of limitation under the law sets the climate for citizenship consciousness, and ultimately, subordination to civil authority.

    •IfeanyiChukwu Afuba,

    <afubaifeanyichukwu@gmail.com>

  • DSS and the media’s reckoning with truth

    DSS and the media’s reckoning with truth

    • By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

    Sir: On February 17, media platforms—including Africa Independent Television (AIT), Channels Television, Tribune, The Guardian, and Blueprint newspapers—reported that DSS operatives forcefully invaded the Lagos State House of Assembly amidst the leadership tussle there. The reports framed the DSS as an aggressor, interfering in a political crisis without justification.

    However, in a swift and detailed response, the DSS clarified its role through an official letter, stating that its operatives were invited by the Clerk of the Assembly, alongside police personnel, to prevent an anticipated invasion by hoodlums. The agency emphasised that its intervention was purely to maintain law and order, which falls within its core mandate.

    Concerned that the misleading reports could tarnish its image and misinform the public, the DSS, through its legal counsel, formally demanded a retraction and an apology from the concerned media outlets. The letter also indicated that failure to comply would result in legal action, including both civil and criminal proceedings.

    In a rare but commendable show of responsibility, the media houses involved acknowledged their mistake, promptly retracted their reports, and issued public apologies. This action demonstrates an increasing level of professionalism within Nigeria’s media landscape—one that prioritises facts over sensationalism and is willing to correct errors when necessary.

    This development is significant for several reasons. First, it reaffirms that the principle that journalism, as the fourth estate of the realm, carries not only the right to report but also the duty to ensure accuracy and fairness. The willingness of these media houses to issue apologies and correct their errors showcases ethical journalism at its best.

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    Second, it reflects a growing culture of dialogue and engagement between the intelligence community and the media, rather than confrontation. In the past, similar situations may have escalated into prolonged legal battles or open hostility, leading to strained relations between journalists and security agencies. It is gratifying that this time, both parties handled the matter with decorum, paving the way for a healthier working relationship.

    The implications of this event extend beyond just one case of media correction. A well-functioning democracy thrives on a robust media and effective security institutions. Both entities serve the public interest—one by informing the citizens and the other by ensuring national security. However, when either side operates with misinformation or hostility, it can erode trust and endanger societal stability.

    Misinformation, especially on sensitive security matters, can fuel public unrest, damage institutional reputations, and even incite violence. In an era where fake news spreads rapidly on social media, journalists must uphold accuracy and verify their sources before publishing. Sensationalised reports involving security agencies not only create unnecessary panic but also undermine national security efforts.

    This case highlights the need for better communication channels between security agencies and the press. It is essential for journalists to verify security-related reports with official sources before publication, while security agencies should also proactively engage the media to provide accurate information.

    Institutionalising regular briefings, press workshops, and collaborative training between the media and security personnel can help bridge the information gap and reduce the spread of unverified reports. Additionally, security agencies must understand that a hostile approach towards the media often leads to suspicion and misinformation, whereas open communication fosters a more transparent and informed society.

    At the same time, journalists must take their fact-checking responsibilities seriously, ensuring that their reports are based on verified information rather than hearsay. The role of editors in enforcing editorial standards and scrutinising security-related news before publication cannot be overemphasised.

    The swift resolution of this matter sets a positive precedent for future interactions between the media and the security agencies. It demonstrates that the media can admit to errors without compromising press freedom, and security institutions can demand fairness without resorting to excessive force or intimidation.

    Moving forward, this episode should serve as a lesson for both the press and security institutions to foster mutual understanding, embrace responsible reporting, and work towards a common goal of enhancing national security while upholding the right to accurate and independent journalism.

    At a time when misinformation can spread like wildfire, the responsible actions taken by these media houses and the professional approach of the DSS should be celebrated as a win for truth, democracy, and national stability.

    •Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi,

    ymukhtar944@gmail.com

  • On Southeast and self-help policing initiatives

    On Southeast and self-help policing initiatives

    Sir: There is a common axiom that “heaven helps those who help themselves”, like the lepers did in the Bible when they were under serious siege by the Syrians. In extreme situations, people break out from their comfort zones to proffer solutions to their problems. Folding their arms to expect the proverbial manner from heaven does not pay most times.

    This is the situation in the Southeast where most communities have resorted to self-help security initiatives to secure their forests, especially during the farming season, to ensure that these spaces are secured to allow farmers to carry out farming activities. These spaces initially have been ungoverned and taken over by criminal elements.

    This self-help security initiative is both laudable and commendable. It has gone a long way in checking the unwholesome activities of some criminal elements who have converted some forests in the Southeast to ungoverned spaces.

    Due to inadequate manpower of the conventional police which rendered the ability of the force to man every space in the country ineffective, communities in the Southeast have resorted to this self-help initiative by engaging their able-bodied youths in policing functions to flush out criminal elements from their forests, at least to temporarily make those spaces safe, if not for any other period, for the farming season.

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    But inasmuch as this initiative is commendable, much is also left unattended in the security arrangements in the country. Nothing will be more adequate than the government paying genuine attention to police reform to ensure an effective police force that will respond adequately to the policing needs of the citizenry.

    A situation whereby the citizens resort to self-help policing arrangements is an aberration and should not be encouraged. Even the self-help initiatives are characterised by wide gaps because, sometimes, the persons recruited to serve this purpose turn out to be criminal elements themselves if their activities were not properly checked.

    Their recruitment process is highly faulted and lacks integrity. Policing at all levels, both at the ancillary level and conventional levels is all about the integrity of the personnel. If this component is missing, a critical link is missing, and it constitutes a serious vacuum.

    Sometimes, they become willing tools in the hands of the traditional rulers who divert their functions to witch-hunting real and perceived enemies.

    All the same, the efforts are laudable and commendable at least to temporarily fill the yawning gap, but a lot more needs to be done to harness the entire process.

    •Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu,<keshiafrica@gmail.com>