This year, citizens of this country celebrated 60 years of political independence that was achieved without any blood, sweat and tears. In the ensuing years, Nigeria has faced many challenges of nation-building and survived several major political crises, including a 30 months civil war, that have threatened its existence and system of government.
In the eyes of the world, Nigeria has had a pretty good run without the kind of political, social and economic upheavals that have beset and ruined many nations in recently and in the past. Nigeria may be the envy of many developing countries, but the country faces other serious issues that threaten to dismantle its democratic processes and institutions. These include insecurity and other law and order issues that have the potential to cause collateral damage to our system of government and the economy.
The killing of 45 rice farmers in Borno state and the abduction of over 300 students of Kankara Science Secondary school in Katsina State top the list of the terrible security problems of recent times. Urban cultism , apart from other Law and order issues, have also been a thorn in the side of successive governments for sometimes now. The Federal Government has to move quickly to address them, not just using the security forces or enacting tougher laws and penalties for serious crimes. Despite these commendable initiatives, insecurity and law and order issues continue to seriously affect government processes, business operations and community activities throughout the country.
The National security adviser, the DG of the SSS , the IG-P and other stakeholders should come up with better initiatives. President Buhari himself has spoken about the need for traditional rulers being part of the security engagements to ensure amicable and long term preventive measures. We add here that the traditional institutions be strengthened to effectively play this role. And every citizen must see security as his concern, too.
In addition, government should immediately begin a process of attaching security personnel to schools, as done in the 1980s. Security undercover agents should be recruited to survey different blackspot areas, CDAs and CDCs should monitor unnecessary gathering and strange movements in their own environment.
After 60 years of independence, problems of law and order remain the single most important issue on the agenda of public debate in the country.
The recent spate of violent crimes, and clashes, some of which resulted in deaths in the country has left many in urban centres and indeed throughout the country in a state of fear, apprehension, and unease. The vicious destruction of property and the injuring and damage of, in many instances, innocent individuals are reaching a stage where the shock of such incidents quickly dissipates from public consciousness after a very short period of time.
Dare we say it, we are live in a state fear but also of indifference and apathy.
We now live in a suffocating and restrictive situation where no one is truly free: to coexist, and conduct their business without the need to constantly look over one’s shoulder at every turn.
Core among the reasons for this decline in living a relatively tranquil, harmonious and peaceful existence in Nigeria is the relative absence of the law and law enforcement. Not a week goes by that we do not hear of youths getting into trouble with the police over cultism, rape, violence and drug-related offences.Occasionally, we get reports of tragedies that result from urban cultism. Violent flare ups in many areas of an average urban city, including Lagos the nation’s economic capital seem to have become a normal narrative. This demonstrates a depressing lack of respect, not only for human life, but for the laws of the country which are there to regulate and control anti-social behaviour.
Surprisingly, CDAs and CDCs members know some of these boys, but refuse to do nothing, saying security is for police alone. This is means we are our greatest enemies.
We therefore recommend as follows. CDCs and CDAs should own security of their areas and monitor the gathering and behavior of rough boys in the neighbourhood. It is about transforming the mindset to see and do things differently. We should develop great minds of people who can challenge the wrongs and create a solution path.
Attachment of security personnel to schools. Seeing security personnel attached to schools will drastically reduce urban cultism and make them be without much security issues and the area around schools will be trouble-free. This will give teachers and parents peace of mind that children and people are safe.
Unplanned settlements in many big cities- places such as Lagos and Abuja-are increasing at an alarming rate, and if not contained will pose a serious law and order challenge for the police. The youths in settlements and some suburbs dwell in an environment that is conducive to crime and lawlessness.
Crime is intoxicating for many of them and like a drug, it becomes an escape route for their miserable existence.
Above all, police must be adequately funded, trained, motivated and must be logistically capable of keeping the peace, maintaining Law and order and bringing to justice all.
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