Gov. Geidam and the assassination theory

Presenting a purported Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) report to journalists in Damaturu on the day, the governor had bandied a set of papers alleging a plot to assassinate him. Sadly, this grandiose misrepresentation by a governor, especially on such serious security issue, was cut short and brought to disrepute when the DMI  in Abuja […]

Presenting a purported Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) report to journalists in Damaturu on the day, the governor had bandied a set of papers alleging a plot to assassinate him.

Sadly, this grandiose misrepresentation by a governor, especially on such serious security issue, was cut short and brought to disrepute when the DMI  in Abuja countered the report, alleging it to be fake and never having emanated from the very professional and respected military organ.

Since this denial by the DMI, issues have been thrown up as again the character of our leaders and politicians have become a point for public discourse. It is wrong for such issues to be treated with levity and kid gloves. Issues bothering on the attempt on the life of a chief executive of a state, its number one citizen, should be of serious concern to the nation, more so, the inclusion of the DMI angle to this embarrassing saga.

The import of Governor Geidam’s claim is the possibility of security fear and possible collapse of law and order in the state. And if the remarks of the state commissioner of police, Muhammad Abba, is anything to go by then we may as well begin to call for the prosecution of those behind that ‘outdated propaganda stunt’ which is no longer fashionable  these days.

Interestingly, the police commissioner in the state has denied having knowledge of the assassination plot even though the governor has said earlier that “security forces have been alerted on the threat and the perpetrators would be uncovered.”

Indeed, if the governor claims his life, his SSG’s, head of service and some commissioners are under threat, it behoves on the security agencies to open the cankerworms and reveal the truth. Else, the half-baked measure adopted by the DMI and the police, nay the SSS depicts us before the international community as an unserious nation. And if it is false, then who presented this so-called report to the governor? Who signed it? And of course who elevated it to the status of a DMI report?

If the SSS responsible for such assignments feign ignorance, with the Police doing same, the DMI cannot wave such grave allegation away with a sway of the hand as there has been a serious breach of security. And there are factors pointing to this.

The DMI does not report to a governor as it is clearly structured to gather both internal and external intelligence for the military for the use of the nation. Secondly, it is a known fact that there is no military base in Yobe State, except an infantry battalion in Nguru, which is over 200km from Damaturu, the state capital.

The question is just exactly when does the DMI binds documents and label it “security report”? Is it not proper to question its point of operations, just as what then becomes the job of the SSS and Nigerian police becomes a mystery to the mind?

 And if the DMI has become so effective in reporting the threat to a governor’s life, why didn’t they provide such sensitive security information to the governors of Borno, Bauchi, Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Plateau and Gombe states concerning the activities of Boko Haram, where such huge number of innocent lives were lost?

 The pain been taken to enumerate these issues is borne out of the need to take the issue  of security in the nation serious, so that clear-cut propaganda and debauchery is clearly made distinct from the art of governance. Just like the Daily Trust reported on page 5 of its August 14, 2009 edition when it quoted elder statesman in Damaturu, Khalifa Hassan Yusuf, as saying the governor was badly advised as “the news should have come from the military, the Police or SSS and not from the governor. I think he does not have good advisers.” An in-depth investigation must be conducted to prove if Geidam’s act was mischievous or mere circus show to divert attention.

It is double tragedy that while on one hand the failure of security reports has led to fatal loss of lives and destruction of properties, those saddled with positions of authority and leadership do not take same issue serious as clearly depicted by the unfortunate saga. Power is transient; it should be used, foremost in my belief, for the protection of human life and property. The reverse should not be the case.

Jajere Mohammed, a students’ union activist writes in from Damaturu, Yobe State.