Criminals should be dealt with decisively. There will be no improved security as long as we keep cuddling terrorists

In a major school abduction under President Bola Tinubu, no fewer than 24 students were recently seized by an armed gang from the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State.  Last week, the bandits returned to the same institution and abducted four other students from their off-campus residence at Sabon Gida. Though all four were rescued through the timely intervention of military troops, the unfortunate incidents have thrown the university community and environ into serious tension. Eight female students at Federal University Dutsin Ma in Katsina State and Nasarawa State University, Keffi were kidnapped in the same week and their whereabouts remain unknown. The situation has degenerated to the point that school attacks and kidnappings are mostly no longer headline news.  

Unfortunately, these attacks are not limited to the academic communities in the north. In Borno State, for instance, there is an upsurge of crimes and killings by terrorists, many of them said to be Boko Haram ‘repentant’ fighters earlier ‘reintegrated’ into the society after surrendering to the military. They, in alliance with networks of sophisticated criminals, operate across large swathes in the north stealing animals, kidnapping, and taxing farmers in huge money-making operations. According to an Abuja-based security outfit, Beacon Intel, over 250 people were killed in Borno State alone in August. The president should therefore be put on notice that insecurity is as big a challenge as the harsh economic downturn which incidentally is yet to respond to government efforts. It is also a disincentive to both local and foreign investment.  

 The latest surge in crimes is posing a serious challenge, and indeed adding to the growing feeling of unease that the new administration is still not doing enough to protect the people. This feeling is not without justification. Even with all its strategic importance as the seat of power, Abuja is also getting more than a fair share of attacks and threat which are causing fear and apprehension among residents. Today, armed robbers operate within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) city centre, including in highbrow areas like Maitama and Asokoro, and they have now been joined by kidnappers who abduct people in broad daylight. At least 12 people were killed, and 139 others abducted when bandits and robbers attacked some communities in the FCT in the last six months. When residents of the capital city of a country not only move around with a sense of foreboding but also feel uncertain about the capacity of the authorities to deal with such challenge, there is a problem. 

 Last week, the military flagged off a nation-wide clearance operation to rid the South-South, Southwest, Southeast and the North central of bandits as we approach the yuletide, while preparations are reportedly on for an intensive military operation in the Northwest and the Northeast. But this is part of the problem. The military is being stretched over what ordinarily is not their constitutional duty. The president must work towards reforming and repositioning the police to deliver on their primary duties of maintaining law and order in the country. He can begin by fulfilling the campaign promise that under his watch police personnel would be freed from extraneous duties. VIP guard duties, manning buildings and installations and other critical assets should be transferred to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).  

 With vast ungoverned spaces especially in the Northwest, Northeast and North central, Nigeria is in dire need of security forces backed with technology. Besides, government should match security measures with severity of consequences. For instance, arrests and prosecutions should be matched with deterring punishments. Amnesty for ‘repentant’ insurgents and separatist militants should be abolished. Fresh ideas are needed because the knee jerk ‘the president has directed’ orders of the Buhari era didn’t lead to any significant improvement. Those in charge of the security agencies should be given clear orders, incentives, and deadlines to produce results or face sanctions. There will be no improved security for as long as we keep cuddling criminals and terrorists.

ThisDay editorial