By Abiodun Popoola


Ideally, vis-a-vis the Nigeria's Constitution of 1999 (as amended) stipulates that "the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government", Chapter II, under Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principle of State Policy. In the same vein, Chapter IV of our Constitution under Fundamental Rights make provisions that guarantee every person a right to life and personal liberty.

Security therefore, may be defined as the state of being secure, free from danger, fear and threat. Security is most often understood as safety. Safety which includes freedom from harm; physical or psychological. This is not the case in reality, the government hasn't lived up to expectations in securing the lives and property of its citizens as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, killing and massive destruction have been order of the day.

The National Assembly responded to the wave of killings and kidnapping in several states by calling for the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police from the Federal level to the states. This consequently led to creation of "Amotekun", the contentious security outfit by the Southwest Governors to tackle herdsmen menace in the region which is yet to kick-start its functionalities. The exigency of the security outfit was borne out of the abduction of the daughter of Afenifere chairman and elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, whom was later murdered by her abductors.

Another formation to combat banditry and other vices is the Northwest is civilian JTF and Hisbah. Other geopolitical zones were also tilting towards the same direction before the pandemic.

Banditry is at its peak in the North, ravaging communities and herdsmen rampaging the South, and the situation is getting worse by the day amid coronavirus pandemic. For almost a decade, Boko Haram has been a recipe for serious crisis and commotion in our country, and has remained a thorn in the flesh to the nation.

The Dapchi Schoolgirls abduction from their dormitory at Government Girls Science and Technical College in Yobe State, that gained global prominence on February 19, 2018 is still fresh in our memories. Although, the girls were afterwards released in a deal with the Nigerian Government but leaving out on one of them that refused to denounce her religion (Christianity), Leah Sharibu.

Boko Haram insurgents have displaced over 3 million persons across the nation and have rendered about three-hundred thousand people refugees in neighboring countries like; Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, Abuja-Kano-Kaduna expressways were nightmare, owing to kidnapping and killing, likewise other major highways in the country.

It is clear that we have a serious problem on our hands and it requires urgent attention from the security apparatus. Unfortunately, the government has not done enough in doggedly fighting what technically seems like an eternal battle; these nefarious and villainous activities are still striving ceaselessly.

I therefore urge governments at all levels to take the bull by the horns in dealing decisively with these menaces, during and after we must have flattened the curve on COVID-19 pandemic; no nation can make progress when its people live in perennial fear for their lives and property.

God bless Nigeria.