5th October, 2010
It is very clear now that Nigeria is facing serious security problems. Events that have happened in recent times, especially the bomb blasts that killed 12 people on independence day in Abuja, have exposed the fragile security in our nation. It is immaterial, whether the attacks were carried out by rebel group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, or any other terrorist organisation within or outside the shores of this country. It also doesn’t matter if the bomb blasts were the handiwork of fifth columnists. The issue is that the security of lives and property is being compromised with ease by criminals.
The twin blasts were dangerous signals sent to all by the criminals that they could compromise the peace and security of this country any time, anywhere. The bomb blasts have exposed the inept security intelligence units in the country. It is unpardonable that the security agencies went to sleep, even when there was information that explosive devices had been planted not too far from Eagle Square, venue of the independence anniversary celebrations last Friday, 1 October. The United States and United Kingdom intelligence units provided security information to Nigerian security agencies which was ignored. The tragedy in Abuja would have been averted if intelligence operatives took the warning and their jobs seriously.
Nigerians are worried about these disturbing and ominous signals on the eve of the nation’s general elections. The security agencies have failed the nation for the umpteenth time. President Goodluck Jonathan who is the Chief Security Officer of this country must carry out extensive overhaul of the security apparatus. The incident has called to question the ability of our leaders to provide security for the teeming population of this country. The blasts happened at a time kidnappers and armed robbers are running wild in some parts of the country. How long will this continue?
It is about time Jonathan proved to Nigerians that he is capable of handling security issues as they affect the people. Things must not get out of hand before a decisive action is taken. We condemn those who carried out the attack on innocent Nigerians on a day they were celebrating the nation’s independence. They must all be brought to justice no matter their status in the society.
It is the height of madness for anyone or a group of people to choose to kill their compatriots in such a callous manner just to send whatever message across to the authorities. The dastardly act of terrorism will leave the nation worse off. We should all be working hard to bring the disparate peoples together for the rapid progress of the country in the second half of the century of our independence. Incident like the bomb blasts undermines the unity and fabric of our nation.
Nigerians are living in fear. If we don’t get our acts right in terms of providing security for all, this country is doomed. We must deploy modern technology to deal with our security problems rather than relying on the analogue approach that has taken us nowhere. Don’t we have people in government who are aware of how other nations provide security for their citizens through modern technology?