B-R-A-C-E Security: A Call for Caution

That the South South Governors under the aegis of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Edo States (B-R-A-C-E) Commission have agreed to set up a common security outfit to protect its territory from the recurring incidents of herdsmen, kidnappers and other criminally minded persons known to have been terrorizing the area even in the most recent times should be applauded. Governors of the zone who met recently in Asaba the capital of Delta State insist that to adequately respond to the security challenges facing the country and indeed the South South peoplethe country’s leadership should encourage and support the idea of community policing rather than condemn it. Speaking to newsmen shortly after a closed door meeting the host governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State said the Governors of the zone have mandated the BRACE Commission to work out modalities for the proposed joint security body. The development is coming at a time the Governors of the South West zone have taken a similar measure to secure its area by putting in place the Amotekun security organization. The South East may likely follow in that direction soon given the tensed security atmosphere in that part of the country. Meanwhile, the Middle Belt zone that has been severally assaulted and pillaged by herdsmen has yet to come out with a clear cut programme to stop the carnage while the North West and North East appears to fall under the close watch of the security agencies, no doubt the embodiment of the Boko Haram insurgency. We fully understand the desperation that has necessitated the birth of these security bodies, if not to complement the efforts of the security agencies that seem incapable to defend the people when it matters most but to secure the lives and properties of the vulnerable indigenes who reside in communities and villages that are often soft targets for the marauders. While we welcome the establishments of these defense organizations to deal with once and for all perceived and realthreat to life, we however call for caution in handling the recruitment of people likely to constitute the bulk of the groupso that weapons do not fall into the wrong hands. Integrity and selflessness in service, giving all you have without expecting much in return should be taken into consideration first and foremost. The reported cases of soldiers and other security agents giving arms and ammunition to robbers and other criminals to harass and kill innocent people are food for thought. Just recently a suspect paraded by operatives of the special anti-robbery squad in Lagos narrated how a soldier supplies them arms whenever he returns from Maiduguri where he went to fight Boko Haram. Intelligence gathering and regular surveillance are what should occupy the minds of those behind this laudable project and niping the bud any real threat to peace rather than react to the situation after much damage has been done.