Considering the seemingly intractable nature of terror-based attacks on the Nigeria State and the debatable helplessness of security structure in the land last year, it is indeed a breath of fresh air to hear that an end to the spate of insecurity may soon be near. Coming from two Presidents and Commanders-In-Chief, the assurances indeed require considering.

Speaking at two different fora last Sunday in both Abuja and Abeakuta, President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo respectively, for the first time struck same cord on national security when they separately averred that the Federal Government was gradually winning the war against terror in the land.

While Jonathan used the serenity of a Christian place of worship to express his optimism, Obasanjo chose a peace meeting among the four sectional traditional rulers in Egbaland, in Abeokuta.

At a church service in Abuja, last Sunday, President Jonathan assured Nigerians of a safer Nigeria this year, and reiterated government’s determination to effectively curtail terrorist attacks by the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram. On his part, former President Obasanjo before Egba Natural rulers expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon overcome all the security challenges currently confronting her.

Giving specifics at a church service at the Ekklisiya Yaruma Nigeria (EYN-Church of the Brethren of Nigeria), Utako, Abuja, President Jonathan told worshippers that the Federal Government had not only changed strategy on the anti-terror war, but that it had also introduced fresh measures to curtail attacks by the Islamist sect. Although he did not elaborate further, the President declared that the fresh measures had started yielding the desired results and assured that government would do everything possible to ensure that the activities of Boko Haram did not cause inertia in governance in 2013.

“Boko Haram planned to carry out a lot of attacks on Christmas Day, but we suppressed their plans during the Christmas holidays and most of their plans were not executed because of the strategies put in place by the security agencies, which aborted the efforts.

“Although we still recorded some incidents, the extent of attacks which they had planned, we did not allow them to execute them,” the President stated.

These views were later corroborated by Information and Communication Minister, Labaran Maku, who, in a media chat on National radio, revealed that many leaders of the Boko Haram terror group, had either been arrested or killed. But understandably, considering the sensitive nature of national security, the minster did not give further specifics as to the identity of the terrorists or government’s fresh plans to curtail their activities.

However, considering the fearful and systemic nature of terrorist siege on Nigeria that has claimed more than 3,000 lives and property worth billions of naira, such fresh assurances on success of war on terror should naturally be taken with a pinch of salt. After all, many would argue, worse attacks had taken place after similar assurances by highly placed Nigerians and indeed government officials, on improved security.

This is indeed why the Federal Government must let Nigerians see the most recent assurance as indeed different from the rest before it. Whatever fresh strategies now introduced and believed to be paying-off must not only be sustained but be expanded to make terrorism an unfashionable past-time, to avoid the imminent inertia we fear.

The Federal Government needs not be reminded that one of its primary responsibilities to the citizenry, is the protection of lives and property, without which any administration, be it state’s or local government’s loses its legitimacy in governance. Last year unfortunately, the Boko Haram siege nearly succeeded in implanting such question on the minds of the people.

This is why The Tide considers the recent reassurance of a safer Nigeria in 2013 as a fresh challenge not only to government but also to the citizenry alike. To secure a nation, it requires a vigilant citizenry, a proactive government and a reliable security system to succeed.

Without doubt, the consistent terror attacks of last year depicted the lack of such imperatives, their short supply and or the absence of a dependable intelligence mechanism required to nip in the bud, such near frequent attacks. This is why the people must be involved in the new war on terror while the security establishments must work harder to earn the confidence and support of the ordinary Nigerian.

It is when both government and the governed together, appreciate the extent of the danger the nation faces and jointly tackle such mutual threat, that the war on terror can be won. One way to achieve that is continuous sensitisation of the citizenry and improved communication.

Even so, judging by the relative peace enjoyed during the Christmas season, The Tide shares the optimism expressed by the government but will insist that broader and more extensive policing be institutionalised in a manner that not only totally prevents terror-based attacks but also checks the increasing spate of criminality in the country. That is the only way to make any meaning out of the fresh assurances given by the Federal Government in securing of lives and property in 2013 and beyond.

While The Tide commends the various security establishments for the modest success recorded during the festivities in ensuring safety of lives and property we find it equally instructive to further challenge them to do even more if Nigeria will truly be safer as promised.