The recent judgement of the Supreme Court granting complete autonomy to all the seven hundred and seventy four local governments Areas (LGAs) spread across the length and breath of the country, did not surprise many Nigerians because it was long overdue. However, Since the terrorism war broke out in Maiduguri in the northern state of Nigeria where Boko Haram Islamic sectarian movement, which was founded by Muhammed Yusuf, an Islamic cleric in the year 2002 and built it up for 7 years. In 2009, the group carried out assassinations and large-scale violent attacks in the north. No one had believed not, even the state government, federal government nor the Nigerian Army including other security agencies, neither did it ever cross the mind of the leaders of these institutions that the war would last for such a long period of years. Over a decade and half years. Yet it does not seem like the end is near, except the recent presidential marching order which many believe the current service chiefs would comply with the presidential order. Thank goodness they are complying now by carrying the attack to the domain of the terrorists. In the past, such order had been issued without any noticeable compliance and thousands of civilian lives had been wasted with the loss of hundreds of military personels and officers including the wanton destruction of both government and civilian properties.
This writer recalled in 2016 when as a guest of personels and leader of the operation Lafia Dole in Sambisa forest war zone, while interviewing the Chief of Army Staff Leitenant General Tukur Buratai in the operational office of then commander Lucky Irabor. I had asked him to disclose to me about the casualty figure of the military during the duration of the Boko Haram terrorist war and he reclined on the executive chair and took a deep and disturbing look at me while the army spokesman Brigadier SK Usman also took a surprised look at me. The question changed the mood and atmosphere. The COAS fastened his glance at me like a Lion observing its prey and said, “Ben, are you expecting me as the Chief of Army staff to tell you the number of soldiers so far killed by these ruffians called Boko Haram? , Not at all, that is tricky, you should go and ask the Chief of Defence Staff because he has the answer and I am responsible to him.” Truely, most of the attacks by Boko Haram terrorists are always carried out in the villages at the Local government Areas. The same goes with every attacks by bandits and even the Fulani herdsmen who usually attack farmers around the country. All of these attacks take place within the jurisdiction of Local government Areas. On a radio station in Abuja, a clarion call by one Mr Omale Obasanjo from Ammale village in paikoro LGA, in tears is always heard begging for help over insesant attacks in villages around him.
The same terrorist attacks were carried out in the surbubs of Taraba, Gombe, Kaduna, Plateau and other states including Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory (fct). So, the complete rescue of the local governments would surely bring about the restoration of peaceful atmosphere and security in the country. Infact, if the surbubs are fortified security wise, then, every act of insecurity can be easily and effectively curbed and curtailed by security agencies at the local government level. It is believed that lags are the door gate into any state government, what if the new state police system to be adopted can also be opened up to a new local government police system, that will take charge of the security in the local government areas to be under an assistant commissioner of police or deputy commissioner of police? No wonder the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle applauded the Supreme court judgement on Local Govt Describing Men autonomy, it as a significant milestone in promoting grassroot development, good governance, and democratic decentralization in the country. He expressed his support for the Supreme Court’s decision to grant autonomy to local governments in the country. According to Matawalle, the verdict will enable Local Governments to make decisions and take actions without needing approval from State Governments adding that local governments can now manage their finances, collect revenues, and allocate resources without state government interference. “This will boost their independence and direct accountability to the electorates. They can now focus on delivering services and development projects that will lead to better governance and accountability,” he said. He noted that henceforth, grassroot development would be enhanced adding that Local governments can now promote projec programs that benefit their communities thereby promoting grassroots development.” Equally the local Government should be able to solve some security challenges in their locality. “It would also reduce political interference and urbanization, State governments can no longer influence local government decisions and this will promote local autonomy,” he emphasized.The local governments can now focus on delivering essential services like healthcare, education, Sanitation and infrastructural development to the people without interference from State Government,” the Minister said. Now , is when state policing would be more effective.
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Security: File Right To Respond
PSC Versus Police Palava
Dear Mr Okezie, your column on the impasse between the Police service commision made an interesting read being a former civilian senior staff with an insight and the lnspector General of Police makes and interesting read writer with an insight having worked at the Force headquaters. Please permit me a space to respectfully respond as a former player at the police service commission and as a former Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to past lGPs. “ I think the government should know, That police service commission is superior to the Nigerian police, and The creation of Police Service Commission was not an “accidental discharge”. It was a well thought-out arrangement by our forefathers who might have forseen the current problem. When the Colonial Masters were about leaving in the late 50s, at the threshold of Independence, some Nigerians saw the Police Force and rightly so ,as as a very powerful Institution that must be given very close marking. They also saw the office of the IGP as a monstrous “King Kong” that must be fully controlled by the Society through the Law..so they approached the then Gov Gen with their fears and passionately appealed for an intervention.
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Those allegations should have been investigated and confirmed..before being taken to the Market Square. Where is the procedure for such things.?. where is the discipline.? The PSC Chairman is a Grandfather Policeman..the IGP is like a grand Son..You mean he cannot approach the Chairman and table all these problems..Must he wash this linen..assuming there is, in the market.?.
What happens if the allegations turn negative?
Let me categorically tell you that this young man is just the blindfolded Dancer, Those who want to “take over” the Police and populate same with their own people are the Drummers.. They tried it with Smith and failed. They are back again.. As for the 2 Police Ministers..Lawyers will say “Nemo dat quod non haben “ Nobody can give what he does not have..they know almost nothing about the Police…s o what would they say.?. their appointments confirm the tragedy of political placements in Nigeria..And that is why the current naked dancing in the Police Arena is taking place..A pity really.(To be continued)
By CP Olayinka Balogun (Rtd’
(PHD)
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