We Can Do Better in Managing Security, but We Shouldn’t Politicise It, By Dr Bamidele Alimi

In our usual myopic manners and response, we subject the current insecurities plauging our nation to the rhetoric of either politics, tribe and/or religion. The worst is that of attributing the issue to the current regime and expecting the government to wave a magic wand that will make the problems disappear.

I am not happy with the current government’s handling of security matters in the country and I have never hidden that. But deep within me, I know that the inadequacies of our security personnel are resultant effects of numerous deep rooted and long years of nepotism, poor conduct, poor training, poor equipment, bad recruitment, indiscipline, etc.

All these have combined to bequeath our nation a set of poorly motivated and badly managed security apparatus, especially the personnel.

Since, I was a young lad, it was no secret that recruitment into the military and paramilitary forces in Nigeria is not on merit but more about who you know and who has the ‘longest leg’. Even recruitment in the federal and state civil services followed the same trend.

Now, our chicken has come home to roost. Like the Americans say, ‘the shit has hit the fan’ and we are all getting stained right, left and centre.

However, instead of reviewing our systems, doing a proper analysis and proffering long lasting solutions, we are busy pointing fingers and raining curses. As if that will solve the problem.

For the records, I am very unhappy about the security situation in my dear country. I am not impressed by the government’s response to the challenge, but I am also honest enough to know the problem is deep and profound and we are not going to fix it in a hurry. It’s never going to be a quick fix.

Insecurity becomes a campaign issue, even by people who do not have an idea of what to do about it. I see self acclaimed experts proffering, unworkable solutions, self-styled human rights activists, standing on the bloods of the innocent, in self righteousness blabbing to the sky without any meaningful solutions, but only to pander to public favours.

Of course, I want peace in my nation, I want to drive around without fear, but whether we like it or not, we all have to work for it.