The persistence insecurities within the country has become a menacing problem that has led to the belief by most Nigerians that the federal government has done little or nothing regarding it and perhaps has no concrete solution to this crisis.
It is no longer a hidden fact that travelling by road especially from one part of the country to another, is no longer as safe as it used to be not solely because of the underlying deplorable state of most of the roads which oftentimes results to fatal accidents but more frighteningly the fear of unknown dangers caused by Kidnappers, robbers, herdsmen banditry, ritualism, terrorism etc.
These trends has become so common that many have decided to reduce their movements and travelling especially within certain regions that have become notorious for such nefarious activities.
Many who are wealthy would prefer to board flights than used the roads. Others who are bold enough to use the road would employ the aid of mobile security escorts for fear of the unknown.
Thus, this has become the prevailing circumstance Nigerians find themselves and many are equally wondering how come nothing tangible is being done to ensure that this ugly trend is being addressed once and for all.
Speaking about how far things have deteriorated with regards to security, Kingsley Moghalu, former presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), says the failure of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to curb insecurity is forcing Nigerians to resort to self-defense.
He made this review in a statement on Monday 16 February 2021 whereby He vehemently condemned the killing of “innocent” northerners in Oyo state, adding that the tension between herders and farmers in the south-west could lead to reprisal attacks.
Meanwhile, news sources, The Cable had earlier reported the violence that ensued at Shasha market, Akinyele area of Oyo, which led to the loss of lives and destruction of properties.
Moghalu further insisted that desperate measures needed to be put in place to stop majority of these menaces. He therefore called on Buhari to act decisively and put an end to kidnapping and banditry, saying no one should be above the law in this regard.
“The failure of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to end the menace of criminal herdsmen and bandits throughout Nigeria (in both northern and southern states) has led to the stigmatization of the Fulani and other ethnic groups for the crimes of a few,” he said.
“The failure of our authorities to deploy effective security and law enforcement action against these criminals has also created a dangerous vacuum that is increasingly filled, unsurprisingly, by self-defense measures by several communities across the country.
“This could lead to reprisals attacks based on ethnic profiling. In this context, I deplore the recent killings of innocent Nigerians of Northern extraction in Oyo State.
“As a Nigerian who has played a role in international efforts to rebuild several failed states after destructive internal conflicts including Rwanda after the genocide in 1994, I know firsthand where such trends can lead. I call upon President Muhammadu Buhari to act decisively to end the scourge of killer herdsmen and bandits.
“It is a clear augury of state failure when, in any part of Nigeria, terrorists of any description can attack defenseless civilians without consequence. Clearly, the Nigerian state has lost its monopoly of the use of force.
“This is time for leadership by President Buhari. No one is, or should be, above the laws of Nigeria. We simply cannot have a country in which the authorities act decisively to squash peaceful protests by citizens but appear impotent against terrorists and terrorism.”
Nigerians are indeed tired of handling the issues of security all by themselves. It is the duty of her leaders to ensure safety and protection of lives and properties of the citizens of the nation.
Gift Joseph Okpakorese
Staff Writer
