When the protector becomes the victim

The responsibility of any government is to protect the lives and properties of her citizens. This is done through various law enforcement agencies. To ensure a well-done assignment, funding and proper care of these personnel  is sacrosanct. Anything less than this is tantamount to total failure that may jeopardise the nation’s security.

Over the years, Nigeria has suffered a great threat to its security. Day by day, innocent people are being kidnapped and killed by miscreants, bandits and terrorists. Our security men and women suffer heavy attacks in the hands of these monsters.

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As usual with the Nigerian system, there will be politics in everything. The Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi claimed that bandits had been degraded and that they were just carrying out a “hit-and-run kind of tactics” . In other words, ‘soft targets ‘.

However, soon this statement was proven to be what it is. Attacks upon attacks continue. The most worrisome and fearful one is the abduction of 12 senior police officers by the same bandits claimed to have been defeated. Then the protector becomes the victim. What hope is left for the masses? In a country we call our home, we barely sleep with two eyes closed. Nowhere is our safety guaranteed The Abuja-Kaduna road is just like a Lion’s den. Cross and die. One thing must happen. It’s either you get kidnapped or killed. Your survival is at God’s mercy. Our bigger men don’t experience this because they fly through the air and so it may not concern them. Hence, their I don’t care and lukewarm attitude whenever security issues are being discussed.

The gospel truth is that every country of the world suffers from one security challenge or the other. But our own is what we know. So many inks have been penned on this issue and so we shall continue till we achieve a safe Nigeria for all. The welfare of our men and women in the streets fighting for our protection must not be overlooked at the expense of a politician who sits in an air-conditioned office doing nothing. They need adequate facilities and equipment to achieve victory. Please save the poor masses.

Adama Umar Ayuba, Abuja. ([email protected])