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Editorial

Insecurity: Before Nigeria Is Consumed

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For many Nigerian citizens, a disturbing outbreak of violent crimes has become the stark reality of
life. From North to South, East to West, the country, once a sanctuary of peaceful coexistence, has transmogrified rapidly into a territory of annihilation. In the first 10 weeks of 2018, there were 591 vicious deaths in the North-East, 270 casualties were recorded in the North-Central and 193 in the North-West.
Of greater disquietude is Nigeria’s fragile security system, which, as currently fudged together, cannot secure the citizens. Certainly, prospects of traversing the gap between the North and the South will remain overly difficult if the nation does not rescue itself. The Federal Government should be bothered about its loss of coercive powers to criminals and quickly roll out techniques to advance the existing state of affairs.
Indeed, there is palpable fear of danger across the board, regardless of the improvised preparatory measures citizens take to protect themselves. All that the police and the government offer the public are limping explanations. And, viewed from Section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution, which says: “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” the prevalent security infringements portray Nigeria as a failing state.
The awful situation is a throwback to Thomas Hobbes’ state of nature, appropriately described as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” Even the well-heeled, who are by some means immune by a clot of police details, still feel unsafe. It is becoming jejune discussing the security situation in the country, fused with banditry, kidnapping and terrorism. Even worse is the obtrusion of white-collar crimes like the drug trade, human trafficking, cybercrime and trading in human parts.
The kernel of the existing anarchy was ploughed long ago, but its utmost manifestation became evident in 2009 when Boko Haram earned traction in the North-East. It challenged an unprepared state to a contest of supremacy. Although the Islamists have not entirely attained their ambition to create a caliphate, at their ferocious worst, they have massacred more than 100,000 persons in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
Boko Haram is just one leg of the monster. Another is cross-border banditry. From Zamfara State, it has berthed in Kaduna. The bandits, who sometimes immure in neighbouring countries, butchered 2,992 persons between June 2016 and June 2018; sacked 682 towns and villages; burnt or eradicated 2,706 farms; stole 2,244 motorcycles; 13,838 cows and 11,088 sheep and goats. With the state coming off confused, banditry has escalated to once-peaceful Sokoto, Katsina and Niger, where many have been murdered.
Fulani herdsmen are squirting rivers of blood in the North-Central states. Niger State Governor, Sani Bello, confessed that terrorists occupied swathes of the state, with Shiroro Council the worst hit. Despite anti-open grazing laws in several states, rampaging herdsmen continue to kill and supplant thousands. Boko Haram and its more deadly splinter, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) still rule parts of the North-East. Increasingly, they are dispersing westwards and southwards, forming alliances with herdsmen and bandits.
For many Nigerians, daily life is precarious. Currently, attention is riveted on the bloody violence raging in Kaduna, the North-West state that hosts the highest number of security formations in West Africa. Within 48 hours, terrorists blasted the Kaduna International Airport and the Abuja-Kaduna train in quick succession. On July 18, 2021, bandits shot down a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jet on the border between Zamfara and Katsina States. It was the first time terrorists assailed Nigeria’s air and rail transportation systems.
A terror attack at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State in South-West Nigeria, unlocked a new chapter in the parlous security situation in Nigeria. The terrorists strategically chose a church and a location to make a statement that its reach had gone beyond the North, as was previously assumed. With the Owo massacre, which claimed between 30 and 70 worshippers, worship centres across the country will no longer be at ease.
Nigeria’s insecurity took a more bizarre dimension as non-state actors initiated daring attacks on numerous government institutions and officials including those working with President Muhammadu Buhari. The raid on a presidential convoy led to at least two injuries. The most notable of the incidents was the invasion of the Kuje custodial centre by armed members of ISWAP who freed more than 60 of their members and hundreds of others.
The South-East is another killing field. Criminals, riding on the back of self-determination agitation, have taken to incendiary tactics and aim to impose their writ through illegal sit-at-home orders, murder, and destruction of public facilities. A sure sign that the regime is losing control is the frequent butchery of soldiers and policemen, who themselves are fair game for deviants and can hardly defend the people.
The underwhelming performance of the police is traceable to their outdated operations. In the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Europe, the police drive their operations through intelligence. In the United Kingdom, automated surveillance holds sway. There are 5.9 million CCTV cameras deployed in surveillance activities. In the aftermath of the August 2011 London riots, police analysed 200,000 CCTV images to identify the suspects.
The enervation of the military and the Department of State Services (DSS) has to be addressed. Rather than concentrate resources on gathering and acting on actionable intelligence on the location, movement, funding and logistics of the terror groups, the DSS distracts itself with self-determination groups and regime critics. Self-determination groups are not as noxious as terrorists. The nation’s secret police have to re-focus on effective intelligence-gathering and neutralisation of terrorists.
We enjoin all federal and state lawmakers, with the backing of state governors, to invoke the ‘doctrine of necessity’ and amend the 1999 Constitution to expedite state policing. This obliges states and communities to contrive their security capacity to control crime. The current system is an aberration of true federalism. By all peaceful and legal means, Nigerians must, in unison, strongly demand action before total anarchy ensues.

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Editorial

Responding To Herders’ Threat In Rivers

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Community leaders in Etche Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have raised the alarm over spiralling insecurity, rampant land encroachment, and the growing menace of herdsmen attacks that are devastating their communities.
At a recent stakeholders’ forum convened with state authorities and headed by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olugbenga Adepoju, the leaders implored the Rivers State Government to act urgently. They warned that criminal activities have collapsed essential services, including healthcare and education, plunging residents into hardship.
Mr Adepoju, representing the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), visited Etche as part of a broader fact-finding mission aimed at evaluating community challenges and formulating targeted responses rooted in local feedback.
Hon. Onyenachi Nwankwor, Administrator of Etche LGA, underscored the intensifying threat posed by herdsmen. He reported that farmlands are being seized, with armed herders allegedly extorting inhabitants and presenting serious risks to lives and property.
Farmers have been uprooted from their ancestral lands, severing generational ties and undermining their livelihoods. The abandonment of fields jeopardises food security and frays social cohesion, inflaming tensions and stoking fears of escalating conflicts over land and resources.
Women of Ogoni ethnic nationality, particularly in Luusue Sogho, Khana LGA, have decried escalating herders’ attacks on their farms, which are upending livelihoods and engendering fear. The systematic destruction of crops erodes economic stability and imperils food security, worsening malnutrition.
Similarly, women farmers in Ejamah, Eleme LGA, protested the destruction of their crops. They carried remnants of ruined harvests to the Eleme Police Station in a desperate plea for justice and protection.
A particularly harrowing incident was recorded in Afam Uku, Oyigbo LGA, where herdsmen reportedly attacked farmers, leaving two dead. The assault also resulted in the destruction of crops and displacement of numerous farming families.
Despite the Open Rearing and Grazing (Prohibition) Law No. 5 of 2021 designed to curb open grazing, violations persist. There is renewed demand for rigorous enforcement, swift arrests, and prosecutions to send an unequivocal message that lawlessness will no longer be condoned.
With a state of emergency declared in Rivers State, the onus is on every indigene and resident to proactively prevent any escalation into a full-blown crisis. Complacency is not an option; vigilance and cooperation with authorities are paramount. Crucially, security operatives must understand the heightened sensitivity of the situation and act decisively to maintain law and order.
Security agents must actively monitor vulnerable areas, identify potential flashpoints, and intervene promptly to avert unrest. Timely and resolute action is vital to restoring normalcy and forestalling larger catastrophe.
A sustainable solution lies in transitioning from open grazing to ranching, supported by policy and funding. Additionally, local peace committees should spearhead dialogue and mediation. Only through concerted action, inclusive dialogue, and strict law enforcement can Rivers State build a future of peace and shared prosperity.
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Editorial

Democracy Day: So Far…

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Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 marked a watershed moment in the nation’s political history. After enduring nearly 16 years of successive military dictatorships, Nigerians embraced a new era of civil governance with the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999. Since then, the country has sustained a democratic system for 26 years. But, this democratic journey has been a complex mix of progress and persistent challenges.
The formal recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged a long-standing injustice. The annulment of the 1993 presidential election, Nigeria’s freest, betrayed the democratic aspirations of millions. That it took decades to honour this date reflects the nation’s complex relationship with its democratic memory.
One of the most momentous successes of Nigeria’s democracy has been the uninterrupted civilian rule over the last two and a half decades. The country has witnessed seven general elections, with power transferring peacefully among different political parties. This is particularly notable considering that prior to 1999, no civilian government had completed a full term without military intervention. The peaceful transitions in 2007, 2015, and 2023 are testaments to Nigeria’s evolving democratic maturity.
Electoral participation, while uneven, has also reflected a level of democratic engagement. In 2003, voter turnout stood at about 69 per cent, but this figure dropped to approximately 34.75 per cent in 2023, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although the declining turnout raises concerns, it also highlights the increasing expectations of the electorate, who demand credible and transparent elections.
Another area of progress is the growth of a vibrant and free press. Nigerian media has played a crucial role in holding governments accountable and fostering public discourse. Investigative journalism and civil society activism have exposed corruption and human rights abuses. The rise of social media has further expanded the democratic space, enabling young Nigerians to mobilise and advocate for change, as evidenced by the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Judicial independence has seen mixed results. On one hand, the judiciary has occasionally demonstrated resilience, such as in landmark rulings that overturned fraudulent elections or curtailed executive excesses. On the other hand, allegations of political interference and corruption within the judiciary persist, undermining public confidence in the legal system’s impartiality.
Nigeria’s democracy has also facilitated the decentralisation of power through the federal system. State governments now wield some autonomy, allowing for experimentation in governance and service delivery. While this has led to innovative policies in some states, it has also entrenched patronage networks and uneven development across the federation.
Despite these successes, Nigeria’s democratic journey faces formidable problems. Electoral integrity remains a critical concern. Reports from election observers, including those from the European Union and ECOWAS, frequently highlight issues such as vote-buying, ballot box snatching, and violence. The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results in 2023 elections showed promise, but technical glitches and alleged manipulations dampened public trust.
Corruption continues to be a pervasive issue. Nigeria ranks 145th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, with a score of 25/100. Democratic institutions meant to check graft—such as anti-corruption agencies and the legislature—often struggle due to political interference and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Security challenges have also strained Nigeria’s democracy. Insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, separatist agitations in the South East, and herder-farmer conflicts across the Middle Belt have collectively resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2024, Nigeria ranks as the eighth most impacted country by terrorism. The government’s difficulty in ensuring safety erodes public confidence in the state’s capacity and legitimacy.
The economy poses another critical remonstrance. Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita stands at approximately $2,400 as of 2024, with over 40 per cent of the population living below the national poverty line. High unemployment and inflation have fueled discontent and disillusionment with democratic governance, especially among youth. Without addressing economic grievances, the democratic dividend will remain elusive for many Nigerians.
Ethnic and religious divisions further complicate Nigeria’s democratic consolidation. Politicians often exploit identity politics for electoral gains, exacerbating social tensions. Although federal character principles aim to promote inclusiveness, they have also sometimes fostered a quota mentality rather than merit-based appointments.
Gender representation remains inadequate in Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Women occupy less than 10 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, one of the lowest rates globally. Efforts to pass gender parity bills have faced stiff resistance, highlighting deep-seated cultural and institutional barriers to female political participation.
Civil liberties, while constitutionally guaranteed, are under threat. Crackdowns on protesters, restrictions on press freedom, and surveillance of activists reveal an authoritarian streak within the democratic framework. The controversial Twitter ban in 2021 exemplified the country’s willingness to curb digital freedoms, prompting domestic and international criticism.
The political crisis in Rivers State embodies broader democratic struggles. Attempts to control the state through undemocratic means expose weaknesses in federal institutions and the rule of law. Immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State is vital to preserving Nigeria’s democratic integrity and institutional credibility.
Local governments remain under the control of state governors, depriving citizens of grassroots democracy. Last year’s Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy is promising, but state-level resistance threatens its implementation. Genuine autonomy would bring governance closer to the people and foster democratic innovation.
As we mark Democracy Day, we must honour the sacrifices of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Femi Falana, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Pa Alfred Rewane, President Bola Tinubu, and countless others, who fought for Nigeria’s freedom. As democracy in Nigeria continues to evolve after 26 years, this day should inspire action toward its renewal. With despotism and state failure as real threats, both citizens and leaders must take responsibility—citizens by demanding more, and leaders by delivering. Excuses are no longer acceptable.

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Editorial

Nigeria’s Plastic Pollution Emergency

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Yesterday, Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark 2025 World Environment Day. The occasion serves as a stark reminder that our battle against plastic pollution requires more than symbolic gestures—it demands sustained, coordinated action from all levels of government. As communities worldwide grapple with mounting environmental challenges, Nigeria’s approach to plastic waste management stands at a critical juncture.
Dr. Ibinabo Ogolo, a Research Fellow at the Institute of Geosciences and Environmental Management at Rivers State University, has issued a timely call for comprehensive enlightenment campaigns targeting indiscriminate plastic waste disposal. Her message resonates with the urgency that characterises this year’s global theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution.”
The core challenge lies not in policy formulation but in implementation. Years of environmental initiatives have fallen short primarily due to inadequate public education and awareness campaigns. Citizens cannot be expected to adopt responsible waste disposal practices without understanding the gravity of their actions or knowing the proper alternatives.
Government platforms at federal, state, and local levels possess the infrastructure necessary to reach every corner of our society. Television, radio, social media, community meetings, and educational institutions provide ready channels for sustained messaging. The tools exist; what remains is the political will to deploy them effectively and consistently.
This year’s World Environment Day theme underscores the global recognition of plastic pollution’s devastating impact on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. The message is clear: plastic waste represents one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, requiring immediate and sustained attention from policymakers and citizens alike.
The health implications of plastic pollution extend far beyond environmental aesthetics. Industrial and medical plastic wastes often contain toxic chemicals with carcinogenic properties, posing direct threats to human health. These materials don’t simply disappear when improperly disposed of-they infiltrate our environment, contaminating soil, water sources, and food chains.
Plastic additives released into the environment create a cascade of contamination that affects entire ecosystems. Wildlife suffers through ingestion, entanglement, and habitat destruction, while humans face exposure through contaminated water, food, and air. The interconnected nature of these impacts demands a comprehensive response that addresses both immediate disposal practices and long-term prevention strategies.
The link between plastic pollution and serious health conditions, including breast, ovarian, liver, and lung cancers, as well as various hormonal disorders, underscores the urgency of public education campaigns. Citizens have the right to understand how their daily choices affect not only environmental health but their own well-being and that of their families.
Despite scientific awareness of ocean plastic pollution dating back approximately 50 years, Nigeria’s rivers, creeks, and waterways continue to suffer from plastic waste invasion. This represents a failure of sustained commitment rather than a lack of knowledge about the problem’s existence and solutions.
The ritualistic approach to World Environment Day celebrations must end. Annual speeches and symbolic cleanups, while valuable, cannot substitute for year-round, systematic efforts to change behaviour and protect our environment. Governments must develop comprehensive frameworks that extend beyond June 5th commemorations.
Sustained enlightenment campaigns require dedicated funding, clear messaging, measurable objectives, and regular evaluation. Success depends on consistency, creativity, and community engagement that transforms environmental protection from a government mandate into a shared cultural value.
The path forward demands that all stakeholders-government officials, community leaders, educators, and citizens-recognize their roles in combating plastic pollution. Only through sustained, coordinated efforts can we hope to achieve the behavioural changes necessary to protect our environment and secure a healthier future for generations to come.

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