Public affairs analyst and legal luminary, Dr. Chima Nnaji has tasked government at all levels, to deal with the root cause of problems, especially insecurity, so as to curtail challenges confronting the Nigerian nation. Nnaji, who made this declaration during a symposium organized by the Catholic Men Organisation,(CMO), tagged, “A day with the Parish Priest”, held at St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme, “ Insecurity in Nigeria: Implications for ethnic and religious harmony”, advised the government to prosecute those killing people all over the country. “Killer herdsmen, and others, causing violence, chaos and upheavals across the nation should be prosecuted”, he said. According to Nnaji, the problem of insecurity, which existed before now, has increased wantonly with the present government. He said that banditry, killer herdsmen and Boko Haram insurgency were imported for political reasons, adding that the activities of the elements have degenerated into a situation that those who invited them cannot control their excesses, as the weapons the politicians bought for them, to achieve their political quest is still in the criminal possession.
He said: “There was a plan on ground. It started with the Church, and they launched several attacks on the Church. The government could not guarantee effective policing nor address the challenges confronting the Church, and they (criminals), kept gaining access, until the mosque was attacked. “Government on their part, have given more accommodation to the killer herdsmen; none of them has been persecuted.”. Nnaji enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to declare on national television that he is not in support of the activities of the killer herdsmen, adding that the killer herdsmen is quite different from the nomadic Fulani that everyone knows. “These criminals should be brought before the law, we have not heard about the arrest of killer herders, rather traders are being arrested in the South-East, who are IPOB members. The president has not said anything. His body language reads that if you see a man with weapon, he should be prosecuted. “Buhari should remove himself from the killer herders. and show to Nigerians that he is not in support of their activities.
He attributed the security threat in the country to the APC administration, which has failed to fulfill promise of good governance, made to Nigerians. Nnaji added that insurgency, banditry and terrorism are the outcome of bad governance. “The effect of bad leadership and governance is the major reason for the security threat in the nation. All the security issues we are battling with at the moment shows that we need to deal with the root cause of insecurity”, he said. Giving tips needed to tackle insecurity in the country, security consultant, Oluwaseyi Adetayo said that Nigeria’s security architecture can no longer sustain her growing and divergent society. He said there must be change, albeit gradually, towards attaining a fitting and sustainable model that will speak to Nigeria’s security need as a nation. He said: “The solution to security challenges lives right with us. Government should get more men to be on ground to combat security issues.
“We are endowed with all the resources both human and material to face it headlong and win. Adetayo called for the prosecution of National Union of Road Transport Workers,(NURTW) for causing mayhem few days ago, adding that they need to be held accountable for the destruction launched by their foot soldiers. “Once they are prosecuted, lawlessness and constant destruction of private properties whenever they are having fracas would be a thing of the past. “This will help curb the violence meted on the properties of innocent Nigerians, whose properties are damaged, and they have to bear the loss. Government cannot be held for their crime, but the association should be held responsible”, he said. He urged government to hold their leaders accountable for the damages incurred at the Iyana Iba, Alaba Rago mayhem. On his part, National Chairman, National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Tanko Yinusa said government should apply an all-inclusive approach to the lingering insecurity in the nation. “Inclusiveness would require government to re-jig its operational strategies where security issues would be nipped in the bud, before it becomes degenerative.
If government can ensure security inclusiveness in their governance, they would be able to curb the rising challenge”, he said. Yinusa stated that there are many signs that indicate government efforts towards the fight against insecurity. He said: “We are in dire need of the dividends of democracy, which include improved living standard, and security of lives and properties of citizens. Government should pay attention to the issue of security. The first cardinal thing is about security. Government should be accountable to security issues in their jurisdiction, as it is one of the critical criteria for rapid development.