NIGERIA IS SICURITY SICK

Abegunde Israel O.Cimthog

“Am I safe?” Is an incisive question that bothers every mind and rings a bell in every ear in a society that is security sick. Today, one of the most trending headlines on our Dailies and Vanguards, with heavily weighted Punches, is Insecurity which has taken different forms and patterns in the robbery of national peace and security. It is very sad but true to say that Nigerians peaceful living is at stake. Sleeping with an open eye and waking up the next day to live a life marked by fear and anxiety has been a norm. The BokoHaram insurgency, the Herdsmen killings, burglary thefts, banditry and others have been acts on the scenery of Nigerian theatre over the years. However, Nigerians have been made to enjoy yet another drama that has the Nigerian Army and Police as major characters who like a house is divided against itself.

The recent killings at Taraba have not only strained the relationship between the Nigerian Army and Police but have also caused the hopelessness and lack of trust of citizens in both forces. Reports had it that the army killed three policemen and a civilian owing to the fact that the policemen were mistaken for kidnappers, while the real kidnap kingpin arrested was set free. Isn’t it incredible of the army to have blamed it on communication gap? While a former Nigerian US-Army Captain, Bish Johnson blamed it on their unprofessionalism, a Nigerian Army Colonel said, Soldiers were trained to kill. Of course, yes, but not on an extrajudicial killing!

Similarly, in Ogun state, about three civilians were killed by Soldiers while they were observing the “Isheri Day” Party. Not only did the army kill the three but later also went ahead to drag another civilian patient out of the hospital and stab him too to death with a bayonet, while they (army) were trying to rescue one of their colleagues machete in the head by mob that protested the death of the three. This made the death toll to be four. Even the doctor on duty was made to do his job with fear and trembling. The high-handedness of the Army should call for attention with immediate effect.

Prior to the Taraba and Ogun killings were cases of extortion, sexual harassment, unlawful arrests, and detention of civilians by the Nigerian Army. Reportedly, In the previous week, a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA) was sexually assaulted by some boys of the Nigerian Army who later told her to alight from their taxi-cab after they had maltreated her. Would they blame this on drunkenness or what? Think of the physical and psychological damage they had made her pass through. Think of the brutality, and the wound that may not heal up for life.

It is, however, amazing to know that while the Nigerian Army is displaying an excessive abuse of power, the police have chosen to display cowardice. It was shocking to see that the last hope of the police, in that situation, was seeking justice on social media. The Nigerian Police flooded the Twitter space with the hashtag— #JusticeforNigerianPolice in response to the killing of some of their men. This was unexpected! Little wonder many victims of circumstances prefer to seek justice about their torments and oppressions on social media than reporting to the police. But then, do the police wants the Army to be declared as terrorists?

Also, cowardice was displayed by the Nigerian police. Often times, we wonder why kidnapping has been an uncontrollable phenomenon in Nigeria. We wonder why kidnappers, most times, get away with these nefarious acts. The reason is not farfetched. If a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) could be kidnapped and released after paying a ransom of three million naira without the kidnappers getting apprehended and yet they are proud enough to spill this shameful event out, what safety or defense should we expect from them? Are we not wasting our time if we rely on them?

While the blame game continues, and we behold the many cracks on the nation’s wall, it is quite evident and very true to say that Nigeria is security sick a million times!