Insecurity: Can the Centre Hold Again?

In Nigeria today, insecurity has become a common denominator for all. Most Nigerians reckon that the country has never had it this bad. It is therefore right to conclusively say that Nigeria is living on the basis of wishful miracle. Perhaps, the only reason why the country is what it is today is because the people have mastered the act of “smiling and suffering”.

The government of any nation is primarily bounded by its constitution to among other things ensure the security of life and properties. Anything short of this is unacceptable. Security provides the bedrock for other economic parameters to thrive. However hard we try, there is no trivializing the issue of security. Any act that seeks to confront the security of any nation shouldn’t be treated lightly.

Prior to today, Nigeria has had her own share of woes as well as abundance. The 1967 civil war created a dent in the history of our nation. Historically, factors such as ; nepotism, corruption, political interference… Were some of the reasons why Nigerians took to war. Ever since, the scars of the civil war still throws up it damaging flames  in ways that does not appeal to the nation’s history as well as future.

Sadly, some folks have without any iota of love for humanity colluded to making sure that the very things that binds us as one will very soon, render us all in pieces. Even in the city of the blind, there is a growing consciousness of fear, anger and resentment. The many open letters by the Generals, Religious head and lovers of Nigeria is quickly thrown away because the leadership is more about “we” against “them”. Terrorist are merely freedom fighters and so, there is a need to rehabilitate.

The many video evidence isn’t enough proof perhaps. If they were, No one will joy in saying that “Nigerians should be glad in kidnapping because about Six-seven years ago, it was bombing everywhere”. Since the corridors of power is an exclusive thing, it will be highly malicious to judge or accuse one party against the other. What do I mean? In Nigeria today, the word “terrorism” has become a way of describing the Fulani herders. However, it is clear that all Fulani’s cannot be terrorist. APC or PDP, leadership or citizens, security forces or bandits, I strongly believe that perpetuating evil is not necessarily about the devil, a race or… it is about those who are willing to give evil a room. Therefore, there are so many complicit.

There is a twist. Are terrorist and bandits fighting for a just course just like the Niger Delta Militants? Is Sunday Igboho wrong for asking the the Fulani’s to leave and let live? Is it OK to ask Fulani’s to go around with AK 47’s? About the Eastern Security Network, don’t you think they arose because the government failed in her responsibility? Is there really a fulanization agenda? Don’t you think that some element are cashing out big time from the insecurity bedevilling the country…

There are buckets loads of question. It is time for the government to really sit up by providing a square peg solution to a square hole. Failure to do this soon may necessitate the arrival of dooms day. These are no mere permutations. The situations in places such as Libya, Somalia and other warring countries all started with bits of anger against the insensitivity of leaders to plights of their followers. It was as though the government had pushed a goat to the wall. Today, Libya lies in ruin. Perhaps, history may repeat itself in our land. God forbid!

– Olayinka Kayode Kingsley
Email: olayinkakayodekingsley@gmail.com