20th August, 2014
On Monday, eagle-eyed security agents intercepted a physically-challenged man, allegedly attempting to detonate explosives at the premises of Centrix Unit of the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority, NAMA, in Lagos. That this is coming on the heels of the recent Apapa Tank Farm bombing which was strong denied by the authorities, is an indication of how precarious our security situation has become. In such dire circumstances, we have little options other than to do more before misguided elements overrun us.
The operatives who stopped the suspected bomber from wreaking havoc must be praised. They have shown that Nigeria still has committed security agents. While we celebrate their gallantry, it behoves on the Federal Government as well as the different security agencies to double up to confront the potential spread of activities of Boko Haram and indeed other extremist groups to parts of the country where peace is currently prevailing.
The way to go, we believe, is to return to the age-old systems of vigilance, proactive community policing and undercover watchdog approach. We find these methods reliable because they entail effective collaboration with the various facets of the community, to keep criminals at bay or to stop them before they perpetrate their acts. To achieve this, it is important that the security agencies activate or mobilise the secret service and intelligence arms to effectively sniff out mischief makers. If this system paid off in the past, we have no doubt at all that it can still work now. We arrived at this conclusion based on the fact that our intelligence services appear to have lost steam.
We see them more as commandos on duty during elections and other social gatherings. The signpost of their deviation or loss of focus cannot be louder than the situation in the north-eastern part of the country and the multiple bombings in Abuja. Many Nigerians are convinced that were the secret service operatives alive to their responsibilities, the nation would probably be spared the wanton loss of lives occasioned by Boko Haram attacks.
So, tangible investment must be made in training, retraining and equipment to prepare the field officers for the task of defending the nation. The police, the State Security Service officers and others concerned with protecting the country need to be equipped to enable them function at optimum.
Government must cultivate a healthy relationship with the people and this should be built on trust. Nigerians recall that when a petroleum tank farm was attacked at Apapa, government denied stoutly that it was an accident. But result of forensic test published by a foreign news agency revealed that the attack was the handiwork of a suicide bomber. Those being protected must know the extent to which they are secured and the requisite information must always be available in the public space. We don’t think the security agencies should be in a position that diminishes public trust in them.
Importantly, it has become imperative for the security services to engage in intensive education of the public on the activities of extremists. We advise that Nigerians must be educated on the best practices to adopt to avoid falling prey to evildoers. People must be educated to be security conscious and what to do when they suspect that their environment is coming under attack. Local policing groups like the vigilante should be shoehorned to fill the gap between the central police and the community police at the grassroots level.
The attempt to attack the Lagos airport, if it had succeeded, would have been a flagship operation for Boko Haram or whoever was responsible. The fact that it didn’t happen should quicken the pace at proper spreading of security network. It is worse that some of the alleged bombers are at large. The way to be on top of the situation is to arrest those on the run and then ensure that all other future attacks, if contemplated, are nipped in the bud.