Why Nigeria Should Make Haste

The state of insecurity in Nigeria is becoming worrisome considering the  high rate at which  innocent  people fall to the guns of criminals in the country.

No week passes without report  of  unknown gunmen taking  human lives in the streets of Nigerian cities. Who are these  gunmen?  Are they spirit?  Are they living  in different planet? The rhetorical questions may  not need  answers  but  it is mind-boggling that despite  billions of naira voted  for security by government, Nigeria remains the criminals’ den.

The federal government is spending heavily on the military. The Nigerian Police Force has always received  vehicles and communication gadgets in the name of insecurity in the country, yet the situation  remains unimproved.

The security strategies of the combined force of the military are not yielding  substantial   result. We have crime-fighting military  set –up  known as Joint Military Taskforce, JTF,  and operation Polo Shield. In the face of these  dreadful military set-ups in the country, gunmen still go about molesting innocent Nigerians.

Last year, Mr. Olaitan, the Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, was killed by unknown  gunmen in Benin. Up till now, the police and State Security Service could not unrave the killers of the gentleman. Governor Oshiomhole has cried for justice to no  avail. Several  other Nigerians have been killed by unknown gunmen without trace of the killers.

Currently, police stations have become targets of these gunmen. It is shocking and  indeed lurid that gunmen would   make them their  targets including army checkpoints. I remember in those days, police stations were safe haven, where  there was security. Today that has changed as police stations all  over the country have become the most unsafe places to run to for safety.

Insecurity in the country is no longer talked about as a thing that  occurs at night. Now even in broad day light, crimes committed at night in those days are perpetrated. Most killings are  perpetrated. Most killings are doe in broad day light with the assailants no where to be found.  The entire scenario  has become a game of shooting at each other without missing. The future of  this country is at  stake. If nothing is done to bring the life threatening situation in the country under control, it will give room to anarchy.

The escalation of attacks  in Kano, Borno, Bauchi and Kaduna particularly the  recent attacks at Baga and Bama in Borno State and the kidnappings in the Niger Delta region are real threats to the  corporate existence of the country.  Additionally, they Portend frightening danger to the nation’s economy.

It is unthinkable the extent  these deadly  people have gone. No one  seems to be safe from their radar as they kill  at will. The recent  gruesome murder of the Kwara State Commissioner of Police is an example of the state of insecurity in the country.  What about the  Emir of  Kano who was  attacked. It is an indication that truly no one is safe in the country, and that the government has to act very fast to salvage  the menace.

The challenge before the government is to fashion  out ways of convincing  foreign  investors of the safety of the country for investment.  Handling  the economic implications of the current state of insecurity in the   country should go beyond rhetoric. It should also go beyond politics or any  form of partisanship to concrete action. The country is faced with the worst security situation since independence.

Nigerians need security not insecurity. The talks about 2015 election should be  on hold and let everyone come together and suggest how  we can   overcome the current  insurgency and kidnappings in the nation.

If an Emir could not be spared or a Commissioner of Police and  many other top security agents,  who else could?

Ogwuonuonu is a public affairs analyst.

Frank Ogwuonuonu