AGAIN, THE TERROR ALERT AND SECURITY SITUATION IN NIGERIA BY GBENGA OLAWEPO-HASHIM
The security alert by the US and the UK on Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation has brought Nigeria’s security challenges again to the front burner after months of concentration of attention on politics.
Whilst the security personnels have put in appreciable efforts to be on top of a situation which has continued to spiral out of control, the political leadership in this important aspect of the Nation’s life has not shown a proper grasp of where we are. And by leadership, I mean political leadership across party lines.
I have posted on social media and granted many interviews on measures to be taken to address the security challenges in the past two years.
You do not have to be a General in the Army to know that with increasing attack on enemy stronghold in remote areas, that their response will be to increase urban terror and urban guerrilla warfare with the Nation’s capital, and important cities as prime targets.
I am not convinced that the three leading candidates who are campaigning to succeed Muhammadu Buhari GCFR have any better plan to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
This is why most people in the policy circuits are modeling high risk security scenarios for Nigeria now, and for the year 2023.
Unfortunately, the party primaries and the selection of party flagbearers were not about important issues such as National security.
Yet, despair or panic is not the way out. The various alerts are a wakeup call for the President to reach out outside his cabinet and limited circle for help, and be willing to take bold strategic decisions that he has for long rebuffed.
In the meantime, let us as citizens, continue to give our best support to our law enforcement agencies, intelligence outfits, and the armed forces as well as follow their security advisories.
I have the confidence that by the Grace of God, even this dark hour in our nation will pass away!
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