The series of attacks on policemen and police formations in the country particularly in the South East should worry any right-thinking person. In the last three months there have been not less than eleven confirmed police attacks and the facilities in the region by unknown gunmen with the mother of it all being last Monday’s twin attack on Imo State Police Command headquarters, Owerri where about 100 vehicles were reportedly destroyed and the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCoS) facility where 1,844 inmates were freed.
Several policemen have lost their lives in these mindless attacks. Properties have been destroyed. Whatever the grouse any one may have against the police or the Nigerian government, it cannot be a justification for this level of crime. These people are human beings. They have wives, children and families who they cater for and who need them. Besides, these officers have been playing an important role in keeping us safe from bad elements in the society even though some of them have constituted themselves into enemies of the public with their actions, antics, aloofness and their attitude of intimidating members of the public.
As Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said  “It is not merely an attack on law and order. It is a mindless attack on the people and the way of life of the people. When you attack police stations and free dangerous criminals, you put women, men, children and their possessions and livelihoods at risk.”
So, it is hoped that the security operatives will carry out a thorough investigation devoid of sentiments or foul play that will unravel the truth and motive behind the repeated attacks particularly those of last Monday in Owerri. To achieve that, it might be helpful for them to desist from narrowing it down to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or the Eastern Security Network (ESN) as the former Inspector General of Police,  Mohammed Adamu, did before an investigation panel could be set up even when the group denied responsibility for the act. They should not forget that there is a lot of unlawful persons or groups who might take advantage of IPOB’s bad name to commit crime, knowing that all fingers will be pointing at IPOB.
It is also hoped that the result of the investigation will provide answers to some of the questions being asked by some concerned citizens since the ugly incident took place: were there no CCTV cameras at the two facilities invaded that will help in identifying the criminals?; South East is a region that is highly militarised with police/military checkpoints at every kilometer, where were the officers manning these check points when General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK-49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),  and other dangerous weapons were freely moved to the facilities to unleash mayhem?; the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze-Owerri is a few minutes’ drive from the Custodial facility, how come there was no military intervention the whole period the invasion lasted?; where were the personnel manning these places during the attack?
Beyond the investigation of the current issue, it will be advisable that attention be paid to the cry of marginalization, neglect and sidelining of the Igbos in the present administration which some people believe might be fueling the insurgency in the region. This is a country of about 250 ethnic groups and various regions. Since attaining Independence, the nation has witnessed recurrent tensions due to the severe horizontal inequalities that exist between these regions and ethnic groups.
Efforts towards addressing these sensitive issues of inequality and ethnic domination gave birth to the federal character  principle aimed at ensuring the equitable representation of different groups in all tiers of government, and the formation of the  Federal  Character  Commission (FCC) to monitor and enforce its implementation.
Unfortunately, that well-thought-out idea meant to give every ethnic group in the country a sense of belonging is today being trampled upon. In recent years, we have seen lopsided appointments into many key positions of the federal government. Appointments have been sectionalised rather than nationalised. Some major regions of the country have been crying of marginalisation, especially in appointments all to no avail.
One can recall the former President General of Igbo Socio-Cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, at every given opportunity, expressing worries over ignoring  federal  character  in  federal  appointments and sidelining the Igbos. According to him, no arm of government – the executive, judiciary, and no section of the armed forces or paramilitary organisations, the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or Federal High Court is headed by an Igbo. Similar bitter complaints of lack of equity and fairness resound from many other regions and ethnic groups in the country every now and then.
So, it’s high time President Muhammadu Buhari acted in accordance with his inspirational inaugural statement, “I belong to everyone and I belong to no one” and begin to run an all-inclusive government. He should be a father to all and carry everybody along irrespective of their religion, ethnic or political leaning. Let justice, equity and fair play be the guiding principle.
It is also time the governors of the South East region rise up to their responsibility of ensuring adequate security of lives and property in the region to avoid the people resorting to self-help. We have seen North-West governors meet several times to seek help over the issues happening in their region. Their counterparts in the South-West have come up with a regional security outfit, Amotekun, in dealing with the security challenges in the region. What are the South-East governors and those of other regions doing? Are they waiting for the security situation in their areas to take a more dangerous dimension before they act? Is it not time they float their own regional security outfits?
A national, holistic approach is also paramount in dealing with the security and other challenges facing the entire nation and what better thing to do than to restructure the country, empowering the regions to deal with their economic, security, political and other issues the way they want it.

By: Calista Ezeaku