BENUE STATE IS BLEEDING. THE NATION IS HURTING. YET, ALL WE GET FROM OUR LEADERS ARE EMPTY CONDOLENCE MESSAGES…

OPINION
By Nkem Ossai

“Be (therefore), alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8

The above quotation from the holy book of St. Peter is a clear indication that the human race have lived with crime and sin since God created the earth and are not ever going to stop till thy kingdom come. No wonder God regretted creating human beings. All other creations of God are obedient to His command except the humans.

Bob Marley said, “there is one question I really want to ask.” Why are so many people being attracted to crime? What has happened to our God-given morals? Where has our natural fear of God gone? How is it that our cultural and traditional leadership, religious leadership, military leadership, government officials including the presidency are all failing? Who can save us from the emergence of a barbarian tribe that neither know or believe in the existence of God? We have questions and questions without the slightest idea on who should provide the answers.

A band of men without souls and without culture, religion or tradition; without fear of men or fear of God are now all around us. All they seek and have learned is the ability to destroy, vandalize, to kill and conquer. They have risen up against all of us. However, my problem here is that there are those who are supposed to stop them but they are busy sending condolences. These are those with the responsibility and natural duty to stop the evil these people represent, but they appear weak and confused.

Security experts have made several suggestions on how to deal with insecurity in Nigeria but it’s either the authorities are keeping a blind eye or they are only interested in their own medicine. No one is saying that it is an easy job but if we are ready to tell ourselves the truth, the fire that is now ravaging Benue State and of course, the nation in the name of bandits and terrorists, were ignited and nurtured by our lack of proactivity, systemic failures and deliberate home grown tribalism. We saw it coming. There were several warnings but those who should know and perhaps stem the tide failed. They failed because they chose politics to our lives.

As it stands now, a multi-faceted approach is required if only those concerned should take their duties more serious.

Several experts have suggested the need to address the root cause of insecurity plaguing the nation. What is then the root cause of insecurity?

There is no doubt that current level of poverty which in itself is a direct consequence of unemployment, is in the root of the mess we found ourselves today. The government which is the largest employer of labour, no longer give jobs. Even when there is one, they reserve it to their wards.

Again, the government pay lip service to all known and suggested programs for poverty alleviation. Corruption and stealing of public funds are becoming endless. Education which used to be a sure way for employment opportunities are becoming increasingly out of reach for the common man. I learn that an educated mind can commit crime but he will at least be fully aware of the consequences. Does bandits know the true consequences of their actions? I think they do not. That’s why they are not ashamed to go out to negotiate with representatives of government in public as was alleged.

The noticeable opulence among the political class have become the allure to all kinds of criminality. How can you be telling the people that they should tighten their belts why you throttle on endless convoys of Prado SUVs?

To stem the tide, there is now utmost need for measures like enhanced intelligence gathering, border walling (as suggested recently by the Army Chief), border manning and round-the-clock control. Intelligence sharing with International Police Organization (Interpol) to help track and apprehend cross-border bandits and terrorists is inevitable.

Argument for ‘Community Policing’ is becoming stronger and the leadership need to act fast. Without further delay, government should begin, the training and equipping of community police in wards and local governments. Of course, the need to pay them well and make provision for good compensation should not be overstressed.

However, we must always note, as the saying goes: “The best security is not a wall, but a relationship.”