Tackling insecurity now

In 2015, Nigerians gave their mandate to President Muhammadu Buhari with the promise to tackle insecurity, and corruption and revamp the economy. Alas, not much has been achieved, especially in terms of security, even though the government has promised to restore order and stability in the country.  

However, nothing could be achieved with the vicious cycle of violence ranging from the attrocities  of Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North East, nevertheless, we should be fair to the government, especially with the situation in Borno and neighbouring states with the coming of the APC government at the centre.  

Boko Haram was subdued. But sadly, with the kidnappings in the North West, bandits are still having a field day, causing untold hardship. 

Again farmer-herder crises as well as separatist agitations by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) despite the marching order by Mr President. 

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Indeed, this is unacceptable; it’s not what Nigerians bargained with the government in power. 

Certainly, our covenant is first and foremost to secure the country’s territorial integrity in both internal and external fronts, in the sense that an average Nigerian will travel from Borno State in the far northeast to Lagos in the southwest and the east, including the Niger Delta, without fear of abduction or any inconveniences that will instill fear and uncertainty in the lives of the people.  

Definitely nothing tangible can be achieved to solve Nigeria’s myriad security problems unless and until everyone is fully involved. Nigerians should not expect the law enforcement agencies to do magic, yet they are indifferent to the security issues in their various communities. We must all play our part as citizens to salvage this country. 

By using robust intelligence gathering to report any suspicious element within our midst, we can achieve tangible and substantial results in the fight against insecurity, which indeed is a global phenomenon.  

Nigerians should not allow outlawed and non-state actors to take the country for granted. We all have a part to play in dealing with the present and unfortunate circumstances. 

I, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful in the remaining days in office, as we’re marching to the 2023 general elections.  

Tajuddeen Ahmad Tijjani writes from Galadima Mahmoud Street, Kasuwar Kaji Azare, Bauchi State