Noise can be irritating and nauseating. Some regard it as an offence when it offends their sensibility and the peace of others, especially neighbours and members of the society. Indeed, the law frowns at noisemakers of diverse security dimensions. For instance, when sentences are jumbled and they do not make any sense nor can people make meaning out of the statement, such can be described as a cacophony.
Oftentimes, some in leadership positions make statements that depict the truth of situations and happenings around the country. Recently, the country was drenched in such a cacophony of unsubstantiated security information, just because these security leaders want to curry the favour of their Commander-in-Chief, instead of doing the needful so that the people can appreciate and celebrate their patriotism. Unfortunately, the tide of insecurity is rising even as the mood of the people is changing and tilting towards an open expression of public indignation. First to pinch the sensibility of the people was the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who, while addressing participants at the 19th All Nigeria Editors Conference, organised by the Guild of Editors in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said the present administration inherited four major security threats around the country. They are, Boko Haram, Niger Delta, banditry and kidnapping, which need to be effectively tackled. Ribadu noted that kidnapping had overtaken robbery as the biggest crime, since people no longer carry money with them. Explaining that the military and other security operatives need to be encouraged, supported and identified with to continue to give their best to the country, he also appealed to Nigerian editors to support the cause.” According to him, “various positive signals of the ongoing efforts to bring security in the country under control.”
However, barely three days after Ribadu’s assuring address, three armed hoodlums assassinated the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Ife/Akpodim/Chokoneze ward in Ezinihitte, Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Chiedoziem Anyanwu. Anyanwu was shot dead on the spot. Unfortunately, in the same week, the traditional ruler of Otulu community in the Ezinihitte, Mbaise, Eze Joe Ochulor, has been murdered.
The monarch who was kidnapped by gunmen on Saturday morning, was later found dead in the evening.
Report said that the monarch’s body was found by the roadside at Mbutu community in the neighbouring Aboh Mbaise LGA on Saturday.
Reports said the gunmen on motorcycle gained access into his compound before executing the dastardly act.
Also, many incidents of kidnapping and other heinous criminal acts are daily being perpetrated across the infested and unsecured country.
Even while the noise is resonating between the leaders and the people, painfully, the people are screaming to high heavens via radio station (talk-in programmes) and social media, telling the security agencies that their best is not good emough, despite the press statements from security agencies swearing to high heavens about their avowed determination and patriotism to create a secured country. No wonder the cacophony of voices in the public space from the security agencies and the fearful citizens reached the ears of concerned members of the legislative House, who did not hesitate to invite the security chiefs. As expected, they shunned the initial invitation, until the legislators stood their ground and reinvited them, this time, with a stern warning. Maybe the lawmakers who are representives of the the people, should take another look at the refusal of appointees to honour their invitations. Truly, for our democracy to work, any refusal of legislative invitation should no longer be tolerated but attract sanctions because it is the that voted them into office that are being disregarded, while the legislators are being belittled. Since the service chiefs know the importance of the invitation, so the question is, why undermine the legislators’ invitation?
It was, therefore, strange to find all the service chies heartily articulating their welfare and equipment needs. So, if they know the powers of the legislators, what was the “Shakara” (bluffing) all about? service chief should know that legislators constitutionally have the knife and also the yam. What is needed is understanding and show of respect for each other. Who does not know that the security agencies are money guzzlers in any government across the world? It would be rather unfortunate and myopic for anyone or group to be eyeing money appropriated to security agencies. Instead of screaming over the huge budgetary allocation, it is advisable to tighten the knot during oversight function and supervision, including the engagement of private auditors.
———————————-
Like Osama bin Laden, like Simon Ekpa
Information about his person is shrouded in secrecy. No wonder it is what members of his group want people to know about him that suffices. Indeed, information about him is rather scanty. He is the arrowhead of the proscribed South East group known as the Indigenous People of Biafra (lPOB). In fact, he is the local version of Osama bin-Laden. Last week, for the first time, the military expressed its feelings about this fugitive. The Chief of Defence Staff, Anubakar Musa, told legislators: “In the South East, Simon Ekpa has become a menace to this country.
“The country must act on it diplomatically. Simon is having a freeway because they (Finland) encourage him to do what he is doing. His utterances and actions are affecting what is happening in Nigeria. — we should never allow that to happen.”
(To be continued)