Harnessing insecurity and enforcement of peace within the Nigerian federation

Insecurity has been a major threat to Nigeria; as a matter of fact, it has instilled much fear in the mind of citizens and foreign investors.

In 2015, I was optimistic that a Military President was going to end the major threat to Nigeria’s security- Boko Haram- given his experience.

The Boko Haram terrorists started their bloody campaign in Nigeria in 2009. As a result of the government’s inability to curb the rise of terrorism in Nigeria, there emerged other sister-blood-thirsty elements- bandits, Fulani herdsmen, among others.

Although the present government is taking strategic steps to address the insecurity situation, the result has yet to show.

The Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended) Section 14 Subsection 2b, stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; in other words, any government that fails to fulfil this obligation has failed the people.

The state governors in Nigeria are classified as the Chief Security Officers of their states, but it is ironic that the governors do not have full control of the Police in their domain.

In this case, it will be advisable that the president allows each state governor to be in charge of policing, because it is the governor that knows the state well, the President can be allowed to checkmate the affairs of security within each state of the Nigeria Federation with the help of National Security Council. Although one major reason the issue of state policing is not being taken seriously in Nigeria is because some politicians might be using the Police to fight personal cause.

Leadership and governance in Nigeria need moderation. There is the need to manage state resources (human and capital resources) more reasonably. Our leaders must to be accountable.

There are solutions to all problems ravaging Nigeria. The solution is in the hands of those given the power to manage state resources to navigate the affairs of the state with fairness and justice (rightful application, execution of the Constitution).

We all as a nation must have a collaborative effort with the government and uphold democratic tendencies within the state.

As at April 2022, it was reported that those that died as a result of insurgency in Nigeria outnumbered those that have died in Russia-Ukraine crisis; it implies there is war. There is a target in every war. Whenever there is an outbreak of war or an invasion by an opposing force, there is what the opposing force is aiming at, either to take over power of the nation invaded or to acquire some resources within the nation, it is the duty of the defending nation to accelerate in utilisation of some higher machinery within its powers to defend its territory.

As insecurity in Nigeria poses a threat to our stability, the government of Nigeria through it machinery (law enforcement agency) must come to ultimate utilisation of the power vested in them.

The sovereignty of Nigeria must be upheld by the government i.e. the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary must collaborate as laid down in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The federal government must be ready to bring the law enforcement officers to manage insecurity. There must be proper planning and mapping of danger zone within the Nigeria State.

With the advent of technology and satellite, no government of any nation can be ignorant of the location of terrorists and kidnappers within their territory especially that of Nigeria.

I would like to commend the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun for his brilliant step of strategic management of insecurity, especially the kidnapping in Lagos-Ibadan expressway by clearing bushes and sending patrol team with the utilisation of drone to monitor the axis of the state.

The truth is that if there is heavy presence of ‘capable’ security forces in strategic locations of Danger Zone within Nigeria there will be no strike by the terrorists, because with the advent of technology the security forces will be able to counter the effort of those that try to strike.

Putting right pegs inside right holes is what Nigeria needs to curb insecurity.

Every citizen of Nigeria should endeavour to embrace peaceful cohesion and report any suspicious movement to the appropriate authorities and the appropriate authorities must be able to enforce the law appropriately.

.Akingbohungbe, president & CEO Dara Info Worldwide; author, writer, writes from Ogun State Nigeria. Email: [email protected]

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