Tough measures needed to address our insecurity

There is no doubting the fact that the country is drastically drifting toward the “State of nature” but the government owes it a duty to fulfil every term of the social contract it willingly entered with the people for the sake of maintaining the continued existence of this edifice. Anything other than the urgent intervention […]

There is no doubting the fact that the country is drastically drifting toward the “State of nature” but the government owes it a duty to fulfil every term of the social contract it willingly entered with the people for the sake of maintaining the continued existence of this edifice. Anything other than the urgent intervention of the government would definitely consume a country that is already sitting on a keg of gunpowder. 

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) in Section 14(2b) is also very clear on what the primary responsibility of every government should be which is the “Provision of security and welfare services for the people”. 

Today, under a government that declared to guarantee the security of lives and properties, our best and brightest people are being killed daily, making the country exhibit all the characteristics of a failed state. 

Barely a week ago, the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Samuel Kanu-Uche was kidnapped for ransom.

On Sunday criminal-minded elements invaded the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo leaving a countless number of persons dead with many others sustaining bodily injury.

Beyond extending condolences and addressing the security issue, the Nigerian government should stop acting helplessly. Rather, the government must ensure that all police officers that are attached to political office holders and other persons except some key individuals be withdrawn and deployed to the field.

The Police Force is meant to provide security for the larger population. But, unfortunately, they are reduced to that.

It is also unimaginable that in a country with over 200 million people there are just 371,000 police officers to provide security. We should therefore make deliberate efforts to increase the number to provide effective security to the nation.

Government at all levels must be up-and-doing in combating crime. And in doing this, we need political and leadership will.

 

 Kazeem Olalekan Israel (GANI) resides in Ibadan