As a young, vibrant student athlete at Lagos City College, Yaba, Lagos, and at Ohuhu Community Grammar School, Amaogwugwu, Umuahia Abia State, where l completed my college education, one statement that resonates in my brain from my sports masters, whenever l am representing my school hall or the entire college, is encouraging me to “ work harder and double your effort next time. Those encouraging words were used to encourage me as the goalkeeper of the defunct Concord newspaper football club when the publisher, Chief MKO Abiola, would send some encouraging words to the team when I debuted as their goalkeeper after winning a match against Punch newspaper by a lone goal scored by striker Mr. Sam Omatsheye, who had passed the ball over the Punch goalkeeper Mr. Demola Osinubi. These encouraging words resurfaced in my mind as security events unfold around the country, events that send jitters into the spines of both the security leaders and the civilians who are at the receiving end including politicians. The sorrowful incidents since the beginning of the year 2025 are such that security observers still believe that when the loosed knots are identified and deliberate efforts are put in place and are well screwed, the situation would definitely be brought under control. The situation in the country does not need disparaging words on the practitioners. Those at the war theater have blood flowing in their veins. That they preferred to take up the uniform for the country is the highest sign of patriotism. When an effort is put into a situation, and such an effort is encouraged, it makes the person double that effort. When such effort is further encouraged, it alternately produces an encouraging result that would eventually be appreciated and celebrated. This is the situation our security forces discharging their efforts at the war theater in the northern parts of the country are encountering. When the military is redoubling, it is the act of intensifying or increasing military actions, strategies, or resources to achieve a specific objective or goal, often in response to a changing situation or to overcome obstacles. This can involve deploying more troops, increasing the frequency or intensity of operations, or investing in new technologies or equipment. No wonder , even tthe United Nation is not folding its long as concerning the ordeal facing our security personels.
Situation in the country
In a recent press statement, the fifteen-member United Nations body reaffirmed that terrorism in its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” which condemned the attack on Dalori village in restive Borno state. According to media reports, Boko Haram, armed with machine guns, raided the village, leaving more than 50 people dead and wounding dozens more. “The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice. They stressed that those responsible for these terrorist attacks should be held accountable and urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.” It expressed their deep condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured by “these heinous acts” and commended regional efforts, including through the Multinational Joint Task Force, to combat Boko Haram.
Reiterating that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever, and by whomever committed, the Council reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, within the framework of international law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts “. More painful was the dastardly killing of six soldiers and the setting ablaze of two churches in Katsina state by terrorist groups. The spate of terrorist attacks in the country is becoming very worrisome and raises questions if truly our soldiers are not overwhelmed after fifteen years of fighting terrorists and if indeed they have all that is needed to fight the war. The chief of defense staff, General Christopher Musa, recently lamented the noncooperation of foreign institutions to oblige Nigerians with sales of firearms and ammunition. This is a clear pointer to an already known fact that some foreign institutions are interested in collaborating with Boko Haram terrorists to weaken and wear down the zeal of Nigerian soldiers in their fight against terrorism. Countries in our situation, like South Africa and Rwanda, did not solely depend on foreign assistance but looked inward by redoubling their effort in manufacturing needed arms and ammunition. This is why this writer and many other security observers opined that our government should ensure that the arms and ammunition manufacturing company in Kaduna should be put to use. The United Nations, from all indications, is bedeviled with attending meetings and writing reports without any tangible action; for instance, a meeting that was held in August 2022 had the report written and was submitted in August 2024. The report says the atrocities of Africa and most especially in West Africa. In one of the United Nations reports, it states, “The situation is particularly serious in the central Sahel states of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, where Al-Qaida affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin and ISGS frequently attack security forces and civilians and have previously blockaded towns. The violence has contributed to the displacement of more than two million people and killed thousands more and is also threatening neighboring states. Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Nigeria have suffered attacks in their northern regions bordering Burkina Faso. Nigeria is another state in the region grappling with terrorist violence, particularly as a result of the long-running insurgency waged by Boko Haram and its splinter groups”. Should this not be the reason why the Nigerian military should redouble its efforts by looking more inward to end this war and take all the glory instead of sharing it? The same Nigerian troops that were like hot cakes before the United Nations foreign mission are the same military that are being denied the purchase of firearms to fight terrorists in their homeland by foreign powers. No wonder an adage says, “Once the rain is over, an umbrella becomes a burden for everyone,” which is a metaphor that means loyalty can be fleeting when it’s based on personal gain”.
Security tips
Don’t be coarsed into issuing a Cheque whenever you are involve in a financial problem like debt payment, so that it won’t turn to become a dud cheque which could later implicate you.