The Nation Newspaper

Tag: INSECURITY

  • Emir blames Buhari’s enemies for insecurity

    Emir blames Buhari’s enemies for insecurity

    The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji AbdulMumKabir Usman, has alleged that the current security challenges in the country were the handiwork of enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Those uncomfortable with the president’s efforts to reposition the nation, he alleged, were behind the various security threats.

    The Emir spoke when the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, accompanied Senate President Bukola Saraki on a condolence visit over the death of former governor, Alhaji Lawal Kaita.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Abdu LabaranMalumfashi, in a statement, quoted the Emir as saying “ninety nine percent of the security challenges this country is facing is caused by the enemies of the administration who want to discredit and invite the people against it because of the good work it is doing”.

    The traditional ruler asked the government “to show no mercy and decisively deal with anybody found complicit in all the criminal activities threatening the corporate existence of the country”.

     

     

  • ‘Govt must avoid abuses in tackling insecurity, insurgency’

    ‘Govt must avoid abuses in tackling insecurity, insurgency’

    Kunle Rasheed Adegoke is the Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President’s Task Force on the Northeast. In this interview with Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, he speaks on the judiciary, the committee’s activities, legal practice and his political ambition.

    The Judiciary has been described as the last hope of the common man. Do you agree?

    It is a correct saying that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. However, it is indisputable that in certain respects, the judiciary in Nigeria has been found wanting, more so with respect to allegations of corruption in the hallowed chambers. It is unfortunate the recent arrest and detention of some judges of the apex and the lower courts do not speak well of our judicial officers.

    How does this affect the perception of the judiciary?

    That is not to say that our judiciary is not peopled by men of integrity. We know of judges who are incorruptible and have lived their lives ensuring that the stream of justice is not polluted. These are men who have made our judicial system is working satisfactorily.

    So, what is the way out?

    All we need to do is to ensure that the bad eggs in the judiciary are reported to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and no stone should be left unturned in ensuring justice is manifestly done in all cases. Nothing pains an upright man than to be painted with the same brush of guilt in a corrupt environment. Thus, allegation of corruption or other vices should be thoroughly investigated and the NJC should live up to its expectation by ensuring quick determination of accusations against judges  to sustain the confidence of the public in this indispensable arm of government.

    Law has been described as a catalyst for development. How do you think we can apply this to our own situation?

    Law is truly a catalyst for economic development. For almost all transactions, there are legal regimes and regulations by law. Every piece of legislation or judicial pronouncement must be for the advancement of the society. For instance, our legal system is conscious of this and that is why the Land Use Act has vested land in the governor of the state to be held in trust for the people. The essence is to make land available to those who need it but do not have it from the grasp of landholding families who have lands but could not use it. Unfortunately, most states in Nigeria have not utilised this revolutionary piece of legislation, no matter its imperfections, to ensure maximal production of food and develop their internally generated revenue (IGR).

    There have been calls for Ministries of Justice to take over the prosecution of politically exposed persons, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concentrates on financial crimes. Do you agree?

    I believe that the state Ministries of Justice ought to adequately take care of, not only high profile cases, but cases of persons who loot state treasuries. That would reduce the burden on the EFCC, which is a national institution and whose structures crack easily under the heavy burden of corruption perpetrated in both private and public sectors. EFCC is not able to cope with so many of such cases or effectively prosecute them and that is why it loses many of them or even look the other way when they are reported to it. In some cases, some unscrupulous elements in EFCC have seen such cases as money-making opportunities for themselves, too, and this has led to allegations of corruption against the body itself. For a national body like the EFCC to cover the 36 states of the federation in both private and public sectors is stretching the body too thin.

    How prepared are the states’ Ministries of Justice for this Herculean task?

    In most states, simple cases in our courts last for so many years due to the failure of the government Ministries of Justice to prosecute with seriousness. I have been involved in many cases in which states’ Ministries of Justice were involved. You discover that the lawyers in those ministries hardly respond to processes served on them on time. They do not file defences to cases for so many years with many judges indulging them with frivolous adjournments and pampering gloves. Simple advice by Directors of Public Prosecution in criminal matters takes years to prepare and issue and the resultant effect is perpetual detention of persons awaiting trial. One is scared to say that the states’ Ministries of Justice are not ready for this additional responsibility which is sine qua non to development, if we must progress as a nation.

    What should be the role of states in the fight against corruption?

    Furthermore, the fight against corruption is a national and international one for which each state of the Federation ought to have its own institution, such as the EFCC monitoring the finances of the state and ensuring accountability and probity. The Constitution has placed the fight against corruption on a high pedestal in which both the Federal and the state governments can legislate on it. But how prepared are our governors and the states’ Houses of Assembly to ensure that corruption is minimised in our public sector?

    You presented the report of the NBA Task Force on the Northeast at the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State as the Secretary. What’s in the report?

    The summary of the report is that the NBA Task Force on the Northeast was established by the NBA President, A.  B.  Mahmoud (SAN), in October 2016 and saddled with ensuring the protection of the interest of the NBA members affected by the insurgency and counter-insurgency of the Boko Haram members and the military in the Northeastern. To provide pro bono legal services to individuals and communities in the region who are victims of the conflict to aid the rehabilitation, resettlement and reconciliation. To provide expert services to federal and state governments in the region and the National Assembly on devising appropriate legal framework and other legal services for the reconstruction of the region

    What have you done to actualise this mandate?

    We have visited some of the states in the region and discovered the monumental loss of lives and property there has reduced it to a pitiable sight. Scores of lawyers lost their lives in the conflict while many are detained; a large number of our members were also unlawfully detained. We have made recommendations to the NBA on how to assist the victims financially and help to rebuild the legal practice businesses of our members affected.

    Is that all you recommended?

    We have also signed memoranda of understanding with some local and international bodies on how to redress the violation of human rights by the military and other para-military bodies in the region. To this end, we are providing pro bono legal services and also focusing on the rights and rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). We have good working relationship with the army and the police on how the government can ensure transitional justice with respect to victims in the region.

    What is the latest development in the Northeast on human rights abuses and how do we address them?

    Right now, steps are being taken to ensure that persons in detention under the allegation of being Boko Haram members receive justice quickly because many are in detention without trial. The latest resurgence of Boko Haram activities in the region has not really helped matters. We commend the members of the security agencies in Nigeria, especially the army, for being responsive and protecting lives and properties. At the same time, excesses in conducting the fight should be checked to ensure that the fight is conducted in line with civilised rules of engagement.

    It is speculated that you want to contest the governorship of Osun State. What is your reaction to this?

    No. It is beyond speculation. I am already out and showcasing my intention to the good people of Osun. Since March, 2017, I have been on a state-wide consultation with the people from one local government area to another and the reception has been fantastic. I have my billboards in several parts of the state announcing an ‘Assured Future’, which is my campaign slogan. My political movement, Tiwa N TiwaL’Osun, has members and cells across the various wards of the state. I am a leading aspirant as far as the contest for the All Progressives Congress’s ticket is concerned.

     What is your vision for Osun State?

    My vision is to develop the state into an enviable position both nationally and internationally. The most important problem confronting the state is economic in which the state is unable to meet its salary obligation to the workers and the populace grumble under the heavy weight of economic recession. The national downturn in the economy has affected Osun badly and we must build a strong economy for the state to be  capable of financing itself outside the federal allocations, which are no longer coming. We must be able to develop an IGR of not less than N10billion a month, if we are really serious as a people desirous of attaining economic progress. To attain this, we are looking at the low-hanging fruits of agriculture, tourism and industrialiation.

    How do you intend to achieve this?

    First, we want to, in the first 200 days in office, turn all arable lands to farms rather than forests that dominate our roadsides from Ikire to Ile-Ife to Ilesha, Owena, Igbajo, OkeIla, Ejigbo, and all over the state. In civilised societies, they tame their environment and do not leave land unutilised for any purpose as we do. Here we have arable lands but fail to effectively cultivate them. We want to, in alliance with the private sector, ensure farm settlements in each federal constituency of the state. With abundant production of food through mechanised farming and tapping into the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme and other international opportunities, we intend to engage in food preservation and processing as there is more money in processing than in supplies of raw materials.

    Is that all?

    We are looking at tapping into the expansive Lagos economy in which not less than N3 billion food is consumed daily utilising the poverty datum line of N200 per day for an average Lagosian. This, we believe, is possible, if we cultivate the spirit to succeed steeped in strong political will required of a responsive and responsible government. We intend to ensure that the huge reserve of liquidities locked up in tourism is accessed by us by ensuring development of existing tourist centres and creating new attractions that will encourage both local and foreign tourists to patronize our tourist sites. God only creates trees but does not give furniture. We shall turn the tourist sites, which we have more than any other State in Nigeria, from their natural state into attractive magnets that draw and glue tourists’ attention.

    What happens after this?

    Once we succeed economically within the first two years to effectively grow the economy capable of creating wealth, we are sure that we shall be able to transform the educational standard in the State to the best in Nigeria, if not in West Africa. We shall be able to address the perpetual civil servants’ welfare deficit, transform the health sector into excellent attraction to tourism and ensure unprecedented infrastructural development for the State.

     How have you contributed to the development of Osun State?

    Yes, I have contributed in my own little way to the development of Osun. To ensure electoral justice and make democracy attainable, I have been in the trenches with the people of the state. All through the litigation days of Aregbesola v. Oyinlola, I was one of the prominent lawyers that led the battle for more than three and a half years in which I represented Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yusuf (the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives), Rt. Hon. Najeem Salam (the Speaker of the House of Assembly of Osun), Rt. Hon Akintunde Adegboye (Deputy Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly) and a host of numerous others. Aside from this, I have played my own little role by way of philanthropy to my people. God has used me to educationally bless some families as I have been responsible for sponsorship of many young ones. Among them are hundreds of lawyers, graduates from several disciplines of value, empowerment of many businessmen and women, assisting in guaranteeing life to those who were sick and at the point of death by paying their hospital bills. All these I have done to assist the state to reduce the devil’s workshop of idle hands without expectation of expression of gratitude from the beneficiaries but divine blessings from my creator.

    How would you rate the performance of the APC-led Federal Government rule of law?

    I often find it difficult to rate governments as that is an exercise that could be difficult to do as the yardsticks could be numerous. But with respect to the rule of law, I would say that the last conducted governorship election in Anambra is a testimony that it is possible to have an election in which a ruling party at the national level would not take it as a matter of do-or-die venture. That is an election in which the police and other security forces were not used as an agent of rigging, unlike what we used to have in the past. It is a prevalence of the rule of law. Furthermore, the Federal Government has tried in some areas with respect to rule of law as this is a great measure of how civilised we are. The battle against Boko Haram is an effort towards ensuring rule of law. It is commendable to see that the high and mighty have been touched in the campaign against corruption although there is still more to be done.

    In which areas?

    People expect this government to be more revolutionary based on the past record of President Muhammadu Buhari and I think the President is equally looking in that direction. It is important to tackle the intractable problems of herdsmen with strong resolve which I believe the President is considering. Too many lives have been lost to herdsmen invasion and to fail to curb this menace will not paint this government as one conscious of its role as the guardian of the rule of law.

  • Herdsmen crisis, insecurity and food security

    These, indeed, are strange times for our beloved nation. Harsh economic realities coupled with incessant fuel scarcity, unemployment, inflation, hunger and poverty have continued to make life tough for the people. To complicate things, insecurity has become a major source of anxiety.

    Until recently, terrorism is alien to our culture. But recent occurrences have since altered the equation. No thanks to the dastardly acts of the Boko Haram sect. In the first half of 2014, Boko Haram killed more than 2000 innocent and hapless civilians, in about 95 attacks. Sadly, as the war against Boko Haram makes appreciable progress, out of the blue came yet another menace of a different kind, but with an equally potent capability to coldheartedly waste human lives. Take the back seat Boko Haram; enters the vicious herdsmen!

    From Agatu in Benue State, Akure in Ondo State, Bukuru area in Plateau State, Oke Ogun area in Oyo State, Gassaka and Bali local government areas in Taraba State to Nimbo in Enugu State, rampaging herdsmen seem to be on a mission to draw blood. And blood they are getting. Everywhere they go, sorrow, tears and blood trail them. Curiously, they operate in such audacious fashion that makes mockery of our national security arrangement.

    Sadly, as it was the case at the onset of Boko Haram insurgence, the dastardly acts of  these reprehensible herdsmen have not really been accorded the requisite handling by appropriate authorities. This brings us to the thorny issue of modus operandi of Fulani herdsmen. The odd thing is the kind of riffles being reportedly used by rampaging herdsmen across the country. It becomes curious as to what they could be doing with such combat- purposed assault rifles.

    What could be the source of such dangerous ammunitions? If there is, indeed, a source, then, like Boko Haram, there would definitely be sponsors. If there are sponsors, the next puzzle is: what could be their motives? Could it be that purported skirmishes by herdsmen across the country are just clever ploys by some ‘evil genius’ to further throw the country into prolonged chaos? Could it be that recent upsurge in herdsmen atrocities is being orchestrated by some ‘powerful’ people with sinister intent to derail the country?

    The implication of the foregoing is that appropriate authorities need to methodically investigate recent increase in the reprehensible activities of herdsmen. It is vital to emphasise that military or police action alone might not suffice in thoroughly getting rid of the herdsmen’s challenge as it is with other such thorny security issues in the country. Sufficient intelligence must be gathered to really understand their motives, sponsors (if any) and grouses. It has been argued that the herdsmen’s ‘insurgence’ is being spearheaded by rascals from neighbouring countries. This claim must be properly verified and appropriate action taken if it is found to be real.

    If not quickly tackled, the implication of herdsman ‘insurgence’ on food security in the country could be calamitous.  Constant encroachment of farmlands by herds of cattle will no doubt affect the output of crops coming from the north; the region relied mainly upon for the provision of foodstuffs and fruits in the country.

    In Jigawa State alone, more than 70 cases of conflicts have been recorded since the beginning of the 2015 farming season. These cases bordered on encroachment into farms by cattle and farmers misuse of cattle routes. The situation is not different in Nassarawa and Benue States, the food baskets of the nation as herdsmen persistently engage farmers in feuds that often result in serious causalities on both sides. While farmers accuse the herdsmen of farm land encroachment, the latter blame the farmers and members of their communities for rustling of their cattle. Unfortunately, the friction, if not properly checked could have adverse effects on food security in the country.

    But as frightening as the issue appears, with the required political will, it could be logically addressed options to address them. To avert future bloody clashes between herdsmen and farmers, the Federal Government should creatively strategize with relevant stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem. One thing that can be done to reduce the tension is to establish grazing zones across the country for the herdsmen. Once this is done, government should ensure that the herdsmen strictly comply with the grazing zone arrangement. This would, no doubt, greatly reduce friction over land resources. Equally, concerted efforts should be made to address the armed cattle rustling rings reportedly wreaking havoc in the northern part of the country.

    Considering the fact that this year will understandably witness an increase in political activities, we cannot afford to treat the herdsmen crisis and, indeed, other such complex security issues in the country with a kid glove. Costly goofs such as the unfortunate comment of the Inspector General of Police in the wake of the recent bloody herdsmen’s attack in Benue State must be circumspectly avoided. We already have enough troubles as a nation; compounding things won’t do anyone any good. Every logical step must be taken to ensure that this present crisis does not degenerate into a full blown ethnic affair. This must not be allowed to be the case.  In view of our multi ethnic and cultural composition, we must clinically tackle every tendency that could further threaten our fragile unity.

    Appropriate government channels must be used to disconnect the crisis form evolving into ethnic or religious interpretations. This is where effective public enlightenment strategies come in. Strategic dissemination of information is key because we live in a country where people thrive on taking rumour and half truth as the truth.  But then, universally, wherever the people could not access official information, they make do with whatever information that is at their disposal. This, of course, is dangerous to the well being of any nation.

    On a final note, before the herdsmen crisis transform into another Boko Haram menace, thereby complicating our peculiar socio-economic and political situation, now is the time to decisively deal with them. If Boko Haram had been effectively addressed from the outset, perhaps, it wouldn’t have metamorphosed into the monster that it is right now.

    According to Aristotle and Plato, what it takes for evil to triumph in a given society is for evil to continually go unpunished. Therefore, appropriate government agencies must rise up to the occasion by reprimanding naughty herdsmen and their promoters. We have had enough of impunity in the country. This is the time to act determinedly act against every group and sect that could further aggravate our country’s security situation. God bless Nigeria!

    • Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.
  • Foundation to Obiano: Tackle insecurity in Onitsha

    Foundation to Obiano: Tackle insecurity in Onitsha

    A socio-cultural organisation, Ogilisi Foundation, has urged Governor Willie Obiano to tackle the rising cases of insecurity in Anambra, especially the commercial town of Onitsha.

    The foundation made the appeal when it hosted the management of Anambra Vigilante Service (AVS) at the Rojenny Tourists Centre, Oba, Idemili South Local Government Council area yesterday.

    The AVS management was led to the event by its Chairman and Special Adviser to the Governor on Vigilante Matters, Chief Ikechukwu Aduba, a retired Commissioner of Police.

    The group said criminals were back in Onitsha and were operating as syndicates and called on the governor to urgently address the situation before it becomes a nightmare for travellers and residents.

    Leader of Ogilisi Youths Mr Anthony Ogbugo, said though high profile armed robbery and kidnapping were not common, the rate of small crimes in the area was high.

    Ogbugo said 70 per cent of the crimes were carried out in the motor parks.

    He said there were some drivers who specialised on arms smuggling and conveyance of armed robbers to operations, adding they were ready to work as volunteers with the AVS if their safety was assured.

    “I have worked in the transport sector in Onitsha for a long time and with my experience I can tell you that 70 per cent of crimes in Onitsha happen in or through the motor parks. The uncoordinated nature of parks in Onitsha has made the place a good ground for criminals.

    “As I am talking to you, small crimes take place every time of the day, those snatching phone have unions with branches like Iweka, Ibolo and Tarzan branches and those called floating.

    “Some operate with wheelbarrows, others with commercial motorcycles otherwise known as `Okada, we know them and how they operate but we are afraid to give out this information because most times they come back to us as soon they are arrested and become threats,” he said’.

    Another speaker, Nwabueze Nwoke, said these criminals operated brazenly in the day light and most times under the watch of security agents who do not interfere.

    Nwoke said they had a strong association that when anyone was caught they turn their victims to suspects and over power the people around.

    “They have very strong unions, one day I heard one accusing the other of not joining them and threatened not to help rescue him again when next he was caught.

    “These things are done in the open at the parks, bus stops and even where the police people are close, they do not look in the victim’s way,” he said.

     

  • Baba Aladura worried over insecurity

    The President of the United Aladura Churches Worldwide (UAC), Superior Evangelist S O Banjo, has expressed concerns over increasing level of crime and criminality across the nation.

    Addressing journalists in Lagos in commemoration of UAC’s 13th anniversary, Banjo also called on government to urgently address immediate and remote causes of killings, kidnapping, herdsmen attacks, political and religious upheavals in the country.

    Condemning what he described as high profile insecurity in the country, the Baba Aladura said: “Nobody is more worried about the level of killings, kidnappings, corruption and other forms of criminality than Church leaders because despite all the preaching and all the revivals yet people are going more and more into darkness.”

    According to the elderly cleric, the evil in the land is the hand work of the devil.

    “We cannot allow the effrontery of the devil to override the values of this country.

    “The first thing to do is to continue in prayer and in supplication to Almighty God.

    “We have been talking to the authorities to please look into the political, spiritual and economic problems that have created all these things.

    Banjo took a swipe at religious leaders. He said: “We seem to be more concerned about praying for prosperity when our main concern should have been to ensure that people live with the fear of God.

    “Once you live with the fear of God you will run away from all evil acts and once you do that, evil will disappear; there will be no killing, no corruption, no kidnapping and other crimes and criminality.”

    He advised fellow men of God to develop the minds of their congregation, teach them the fear of God and let them know that if they are honest, hardworking and industrious God will bless them.

    “Everybody cannot be rich but we can all be happy. We can all be peaceful and we can all be contented if there is fear of God and we live by His laws.”

  • Senate tasks FG on policy to check insecurity

    Senate tasks FG on policy to check insecurity

    The Senate has called on the Federal Government to come up with a policy on the protection of its citizens, especially those in rural areas.

    The upper chamber also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately send relief materials to villages in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara where lives were lost in recent attacks.

    The calls were sequel to a motion on “Urgent Need to look into the Killings and Attacks that took place in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara” sponsored by Sen. Tijjani Kaura (APC-Zamfara) at plenary on Wednesday.

    He said the attack on Friday left 23 people dead in Mallamawa and Tungar Kahau villages, while property were torched and plundered.

    “Similarly, four villages, namely, Maikamarimi, Gidan Anna, Mallamawa and Tungar Kahau were burnt to ashes including all their farm produce worth about N385, 000, 000.’’

    Kaura said that the State Government had over the years put in place a lot of measures to bring an end to the menace but that the attacks had resurfaced.

    “The military operation `Harbin Kunama’ that was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari to flush out the bandits is still in place and such attacks are happening unabated.

    “These security breaches are on the increase in spite of the huge resources being expended by the Federal and Zamfara State Governments,” he said.

    The lawmaker called for collaborative effort between Federal and State Governments to come up with a definite policy on protecting its citizens, especially those living in rural areas.

    Contributing, the Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu, called for the establishment of state police to curb insecurity in the country.

    “Indigenes of the state employed as state police will know the terrain where bandits are hiding,” he said.

    But, Sen. Dino Melye (APC-Kogi) said establishment of state police would be counter-productive since they would show much loyalty to the governors who would use them against political opponents.

    On his part, Sen. Jonah Jang (PDP-Plateau) said: “we are not serious in this country on the matters of insecurity.

    “Any person arrested should be prosecuted irrespective of his political godfather.

    “Plateau State had been in the forefront of attacks by Boko Haram. It is beyond what we think.

    “For whatever reason, some people are financing and backing Boko Haram, but only God knows.”

    He advocated for state police but called for a law that would create it.

    Also speaking, Sen. Kabiru Gaya (APC-Kano) called for a review of the Constitution to include roles for traditional rulers to give them opportunity to bring peace to their domains.

    In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that there was definitely a collapse of security infrastructure in the country.
    He decried the level of impunity where people illegally carried arms all over the place.

    Saraki said that an ad hoc committee would be constituted to deal with the matter.

  • Growing personal insecurity

    There is no doubt that the economic decline in Nigeria and the general lack of accountability on the part of our leaders have created a disconnect between the various governments and the generality of the people. The ease with which people misuse or exploit their offices as if there were no checks and balances amazes reasonable and thinking people. The humongous looting of the treasuries by individuals demonstrate the breakdown of bureaucratic and government control system. This is undermining the integrity and legitimacy of the governments and their officials and consequently creating a vacuum in governance space which anti-social people and hoodlums are filling. The result of this is that those who can afford to hire personal security guards are doing so and those who cannot are resigned to prayers and luck that they will not be victims.  Even as we all know, one can hire policemen if one has the resources whether one is in government or out of it.

    Kidnapping has become so lucrative that those previously involved in armed robbery have shifted to kidnapping. People are routinely kidnapped on their way home from work or while sleeping at night or travelling between cities. Once kidnapped, those who are not killed in the process are traded as commodities and prices are put on their heads and if lucky after successful negotiations and payment of ransoms, they are released to their relatives while the police will issue dishonest statements that no ransom was paid. The situation is so bad that there are no longer sacred places that are respected by kidnappers. Churches and mosques now routinely hire guards and policemen whose loyalties cannot be guaranteed.  Our church in Ibadan has two layers of security, one by the police, the other by private guards. While praying to God for our security, we keep our eyes half closed in case we have to bolt away if we hear “fire on the mountain”. This is really sad. In the past, old people are spared but not any more; in fact they are increasingly becoming easy targets because of their cash value and the ease of catching them since they can neither fight nor run when accosted. The result of this is that those who live in cities cannot visit their villages where their ancestors are buried!  The environment is poisoned with fear; mere greetings by loud youngsters can lead to people running for dear lives.

    I once went home to Okemesi and as I was driving out of town, I was stopped right at the boundary between Okemesi and Esaoke by two middle aged men who had put across the road a barrier of a long stick full of nails to puncture the tyre of anyone who refused to stop.  I was very angry because I was rushing to Lagos. When I asked what the problem was, I was asked to show my tax clearance. I asked which kind of tax clearance? I was told that of Oriade Local Government. I told them I was a teacher at Redeemers University in Osun State and paid “pay as you earn” tax. They refused to budge. Then I felt, let me speak my local dialect to these people and that perhaps that would do the trick. When I spoke, I was shouted at and asked to speak English and that they did not understand Yoruba, my language. It then turned out that the people were non-Yorubas hired by the local government to force money out of anybody they could find by terrorizing them. At that point, I bluntly refused to be robbed. Suddenly I saw a solitary mobile policeman standing a few meters from where my driver and I were. I called him and introduced myself. His response was – “oga you are an old man, pay them their money and go away”.  I was shocked. I became deadly stubborn saying “the only way you will get money from me is over my dead body”. Eventually one of the boys knew the game was up and said “old man go away”.

    For a long time afterwards, I never visited my home town. Our compound at home where we had celebrated many Christmas parties and where the larger family congregates often when occasions demand has been robbed many times. So has the First Bank that serves my town Imesi and our sister town Imesi-Ile been robbed and the policeman guarding it killed thereby shutting down banking operations of the two towns. Sometimes we are told the young people robbing my home town come from a nearby polytechnic which I refuse to believe. But who knows? We are really in trouble!

    A friend of mine living in Abuja but who comes from the north-east told me a story that early in January 2016 he was driving to Bauchi from Jos and a policeman stopped him and asked for his papers. He assumed it was one of those “oga give us something now”. He brought out his wallet and attempted to offer something for the boys. To his surprise, the policeman said “oga don’t you know Buhari is the president?” He was pleasantly surprised and happy and drove off. President Buhari’s integrity matters to many of us who support him. As my nephew has clinically examined the coalition that brought Buhari to power in his write-up in Thisday, the southern intelligentsia was critical. This support was based on the confidence we have that Buhari is the only politician among the current ones who can clean the Augean stable of corruption in Nigeria.

    He must do everything possible to maintain this integrity and those around him, if they love him, must not do anything to undermine the confidence people have in him. Perception can sometimes be stronger than reality. There must be no room for doubts and if any assistant or ministers appear to undermine his campaign against corruption, such a person must be shown the way out and must be swiftly dealt with.

    The insecurity in the country is intricately linked with the corruption. If there is money in the coffers of government, we would have excellent infrastructure and with this the country will be open for businesses. But if it is a free for all kind of situation, then the insecurity will increase and the country will descend into warlordism where brigands carve up the country and reach some concordance with security agencies to fend for themselves. Unless something is done quickly, the Boko Haram insurgence will be replicated in other parts of the country not in form of religious rebellion but in form of criminal gangs that would be laws unto themselves.

    It is an open secret that people from the north-east living in Abuja can no longer drive through Plateau State to Bauchi for fear of being killed. They now have to go through Kano to Bauchi if they survive ambush in some parts of Kaduna State. Thus a journey of a few hours becomes a full day’s journey. South-easterners are marooned in Lagos and the South-west and hardly go home any more, not even at Christmas for fear of kidnappers. Even the peace in the South-west has been shattered by people from outside the area who have brought their nefarious business of kidnapping to the region.

    This among other reasons is why we have been calling for local or zonal police recruited from the local environment who know the place and speak the local languages of the people. This is no brainer! It is commonsensical. We cannot and must not wait until we are killed or kidnapped before we speak out because self preservation is the first law of nature. As presently configured the security agencies have failed and people do not feel safe any where any time whether in the night or in the daybreak, at home or at work in the city or in the country!.

    Unfortunately this insecurity has economic and foreign policy dimension. Investors are shying away from Nigeria, even our young ones are running away to foreign countries through indescribable and dangerous routes and means and our counsel and collaboration are no longer sought by those who hitherto were our partners. Our problem has gone beyond party affiliations. It is a matter of life or death and we must all stay here in Nigeria and find solutions to our problem.  Those of the opposition who gloat when something goes wrong in government should bury their heads in shame. As some people have said, 50 percent of the so-called APC government are from the PDP with the same buccaneering attitude to governance. So how can we expect fundamental change when only the president appears to be fighting a solitary battle and he is being pulled by the instincts of survival or self sacrifice in an environment laden with political mines?

  • APC states set up trust fund to tackle insecurity

    APC states set up trust fund to tackle insecurity

    Worried by security challenges in the country, the 24 states under the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have resolved to set up a security trust fund.

    The affected states have also drafted and sent bills on Security Trust Fund, Administration of Revenue and Universal Basic Education to states houses of assembly for passage into laws.

    With the development, it is now mandatory for all business concerns and companies in the 24 states to contribute to the trust fund.

    It is also compulsory for all parents in the states to send their children to school.

    The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), which is an umbrella body for the 24 states, unfolded the new bills at a briefing in Abuja.

    Addressing the media, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, who stood in for the Chairman of the PGF, Owelle Rochas Okrocha, said the proposed Security Trust Fund was meant to assist the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.

    Madumere said: “The Security Trust Fund has nothing to do with state police. We are only out to tackle security challenges in our states.

    “From the look of things, our meager resources from the Federation Account cannot cater for the huge sums required to provide security. We have therefore opted for a trust fund.

    “This is aimed at providing a robust, strategic, participatory and community-grounded security architecture as a solution to the myriad of security challenges facing the federal and state governments.

    “Security is also central to the realization of the ideals of social justice, which is the cardinal anchor of the programme of the current government.

    “Without adequate security, investors will be very reluctant to invest. Without adequate security, the people may not realise their full potential.

    “This prototype bill on security is focused on providing more support and funding for security institutions and broadening access to funds outside government.”

    On Universal Basic Education (UBE), Madumere said all the states will enact laws to make it an offence not to send children to school.

    “The prototype bill on compulsory, free universal education addresses issues of refusal to send pupils to school, charging fees and levies in public schools, membership of universal basic education commission, financing of the universal basic education, qualification to access funding, and so on,” he said.

    Responding to a question, the deputy governor said the APC states have also designed ways of generating revenue to survive the present economic challenges.

    He said all the states have agreed to come up with a bill on how to boost revenue collection.

    He added: “”To survive the current economic realities and sustain a healthy internal revenue base, states must design creative, aggressive and robust ways and mechanisms of raising their revenue profile.

    “This prototype bill is targeted at achieving the above. It would also help our states to re-strategise in the identification of their internal revenue base, mapping out of the base and collecting data on businesses and areas that can shore up the internal revenue base of the state.

    “This bill also establishes functional, legitimate and legal structures to collect revenues, sustain the collection of revenues, plug leakages and put the monies collected to good use.

    “It seeks the restructuring and repositioning of our internal revenue generation agencies to strengthen them to increase their racket and revenue while blocking leakages and other sharp practices. It will make sure the informal sector is also adequately captured into the tax net.

    “Each Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of an APC state is expected to turn these prototype bills into executive bills for onward transmission to the houses of assembly of our states for passage into law.

    “With this, the foundation for a common Identity for all APC controlled states would have been laid.”

    The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ismaila Kamba said: “We have been carried along. We have been following the drafting of the bills closely, and we will ensure a speedy passage.”

    The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Moses Alake Adeyemo, said the bills were not designed to isolate PDP-controlled states.

    “APC is not floating the Security Trust Fund in isolation. Any state which feels that the law is good for it should copy it,” he said.

    Also at the session, the Katsina State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq, said: “We have shown that this APC government is a responsible one by addressing basic challenges facing the people. We are on course.”

    The Director General of PGF, Comrade Salihu Luqman said the APC states were not out to discriminate against PDP states.

    He said: “The whole thing about politics is competition. The view of APC is to set standards for competition. This is what we have done with these bills.”

  • Imoke, Owan-Enoh, others brainstorm against insecurity in Cross River

    Imoke, Owan-Enoh, others brainstorm against insecurity in Cross River

    Restoring peace in Cross River State was the crux of discussion when former  Governor Liyel Imoke, Senator John Owan-Enoh,  the Chairman of the Cross River Partnership for Peace and Security (CRPPS), Mr. Lawrence Alobi, and others brainstormed at a Peace and Security Summit in Ikom.

    They sought a way out of the rising spate of insecurity in the state, especially in the central senatorial district in the Summit organised by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and the Foundation for Peace and Security Education in collaboration with CRPPS.

    The issue of insecurity, according Alobi, arose from the numerous communal clashes and cult wars, among other violent crimes that have claimed the lives of several persons, as well as destroyed a lot of properties.

    Alobi, who declared open the summit, said it was disturbing that the state, which was once rated as the most peaceful in the country, has become a hotbed of insecurity.

    “I served as a police officer maintaining law and order promoting peace and security for 35 years and it pains my heart how my people, young men are causing mayhem destroying themselves in the name of cultism. Communities that are supposed to live together in peace are fighting each other.

    “It is particularly disturbing that Cross River Central Senatorial District has gained an unfortunate notoriety as a theatre of war due to communal clashes, cultism and other violent crimes. We cannot allow this trend to continue because if this ugly situation is neglected it might snowball into an unimaginable level like we are witnessing today in the north-eastern part of Nigeria.”

    Also speaking, Imoke stated that as a former governor he wondered why young people would join cults to become ready tools for politicians.

    He said: “I will just like to say that for the organisers to put this event together means that there must be some concern about the level of peace and security in Cross River State. It is everyone’s responsibility. That has been my own experience. The earlier we nip each challenge in the bud, the better it is for each and every one of us.

    “When I was governor, I was very concerned about young people joining cults and about politicians using these young people or cultists who went in and committed all kinds of crimes and offences in the name of politics sometimes in the name of support for a political party or a politician.”

    He said there was need to urgently address these concerns.

    Owan-Enoh said the six local government areas in the district were experiencing one form of violent conflict or the other.

    He said: “There is about no local government area in the district that has no communal conflict. We are gathered here because the zone has become a theatre of war, which ought not to be.

    “I think things have deteriorated actually and the fact that this summit is holding is the greatest indication of that fact. It’s a response by people and this is not government but people that are concerned about what is going on.”

    Also in attendance at the Summit were former General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj-Gen. Moses Obi (rtd), a former Cross River State Security Adviser, Mr. Bassey Rekpene, and Prof.Oshita Oshita, among others.

  • ‘How govts, church can tackle insecurity, religious intolerance’

    Governments and the church have a vital role to play in tackling insecurity and religious intolerance in the country, it has been learnt.

    This was the centre of discussions yesterday at a symposium organised by the Cathedral Church of Saint Jude at Ebute Meta in Lagos.

    It was part of activities to celebrate its 150th anniversary with theme: Tackling insecurity and Religious Intolerance: Agenda for the State and Church.

    Venerable Okey Ifomu, of the church, said the first step governments should take to tackle insecurity and religious intolerance is setting personal examples in the way they run governance.

    He said: “Governments must be fair to the various interest groups in the polity. If Nigeria desires to live in peace and security, it must sincerely address injustice and oppression. The clamour for a restructuring of the country and the obvious resistance of key elements of the present Federal Government to the demand can only stoke the fire of insecurity by reinforcing separatist tendencies.

    The cleric noted that in a democracy, nothing is beyond negotiation.

    He said those holding the helms of affairs must understand that they are merely the servants of the people.

    Ifomu said: “Governments must also see it as their responsibility to implement policies that can alleviate sufferings and other conditions that predispose people to resort to self-help, thereby undermining security of life and property. Functional social welfare policies must be adopted in a time of recession, such as the one the country is passing through now. That way, the incidence of poverty-linked crimes can be abated.”

    The cleric said the church owes it as an obligation to properly orientate its members.

    He said: “Christian leaders and preachers should continually emphasise Christ’s message of love for one’s neighbours, regardless of their faith or ethnicity. For every true Christian, the practice of Christianity is the practice of love and tolerance. The Bible urges the faithful, in Romans 12 verse 18, to ‘live peaceably with all men’.

    “Jesus Christ himself encouraged his followers to seek peace at all cost by turning the other cheek: by forgiving as often as possible those who have wronged them; by seeking the good of others and by loving those who hate them. Those who kill or harm others in the name of God and His only begotten son are wrong. Christian leaders have a responsibility to instruct their audiences or congregations on the true mission of Christ.”

    The church, Ifomu said, had an obligation to preach peace and mutual coexistence since all men and women are creatures of God.

    He said: “The enormous influence of Christian preachers on the minds of their listeners and viewers has made it important that their words must be such that promote tolerance and harmony in the society. Bigotry and hatred must find no room in their sermons. They are to discourage the faithful from treading such paths.”

    “Even though the church should not deepen our fault lines, Christian preachers must be bold in speaking out against obvious injustices and economic inequities that plague our country. This is vital, given the fact that such injustices and inequities are generally the primary sources of much of the conflicts in our societies, which in turn result in insecurity.

    “The church must teach its members that their religious obligation does not include re-enacting the bloody crusades of past centuries. We cannot force our religious beliefs or views on others. We are to reason with them by persuasion. The church should strive to win others through personal love and overcome evil with good.”

    The cleric noted that collaboration between the church and the state could help in tackling religious intolerance and stemming the attendant social insecurity.

    Pioneer Dean of the Cathedral, Ven. Layi Akinwande, said Christians must practise what the Bible says and set example for others.

    The cleric said this would prevent insecurity and religious intolerance.

    He said: “The church should show good examples, ensure there is justice in the church because where there is injustice, there cannot be security.”

    Mr Babatunde Ogala urged the church to work against insecurity in the land.

    He said: “Spiritual leaders are to define values and orientation. They are supposed to be the role models to lead this charge. But it is unfortunate that they have been too quiet. They are not condemning cases of insurgency, kidnapping and drums of war, among others. We cannot continue to sit down in the church to pray; we must come out to condemn injustice, irrespective of who is involved.”