Follow Us on Google
When an orphan profusely cries and points in a given direction, it prepossess that what is causing his pain is either lurking inside or around the area. Painfully, many communities cry out over gross injustice but, most times, those in authority don’t show care, concern or sympathy over the pain striking the communities. Some time ago, Security File heard one such cry revibrating from the Shiroro axis of Niger State, where over 10 villages were at the mercy of maurading bandits whose dastardly mission was to steal, kill and destroy, like the devil. These bandits in their numbers destroyed farm products, set houses and schools ablaze, killed and kidnapped their victims for huge ransoms. The cries of those villagers were not heeded early enough while there was ethnic cleansing, not even when the security agencies (army and police) suffered casualties. Painfully, the incursion is still on. Even as I write this column, Guni village in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State had it markets ransacked, with many villagers injured with bullets. The question is: how long shall this menace continue, as if there is no government in the country? The Constitution clearly guarantees individuals the fundamental human right to life, while the government is mandated to protect the life and property of every individual. Since the Second Republic, government has not firmly protected its citizens. It provides protection only when it deems it necessary. Unlike the government of the Umited States of America, which has consistently exhibited that nerve to go all out to protect and rescue its citizens whenever and wherever their lives are endangered, not so in Nigeria, where government has not seriously lived up to its constitutional responsibility. Only recently, one of American security agency came to Nigeria just to rescue one of its kidnapped citizens. Most commendable was that they utilized time, resources and personnel just to rescue a single soul who was their citizen.
Today, another deafening clarion call has resonated from many local governments of Taraba State calling for help. Their cry covered many local governments along the border areas of the state. However, Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba, a retired Nigerian Army colonel who ventured into politics, seems ready to right the wrongs in the state. Even as the peoples cry had resonated and was heard by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mathias Schmal, who visited Governor Kefas of Taraba State, and both vowed to critically look into the main causes of insecurity problems in the state. The governor also pledged his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for international agencies to work effectively in the state to assist Tarabans and enhance their wellbeing.
He identified food security, access to quality healthcare, education, structural development and climate change as some of the issues posing a threat to the state.
He said the United Nations had a long-standing history of providing invaluable support to countries facing challenges and his administration would prioritise initiatives to promote renewable energy, agriculture and responsible resource management.
Noting that the state had clear priorities that tally with the global development agenda, ge added that building peace was core to the United Nations.
I envisage a success story emerging at the end of the UN intervention in the state so that other affected states like Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue can present their problems before the UN for solutions, since the federal government seems incapable of protecting lives and properties of citizen. We have resorted to being a beggarly country despite our huge natural and human resources. Although government is a comtinum. One would partly exonerate the current government of President Bola Tinubu, but not the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari who left a sour taste for rational thinkers. A situation where his attention was drawn to the heinous criminality being perpetrated on the people of the Kuteb ethnic group of Takum and Ussa LGAs, as well as Yangtu Special Development Area (SDA) of Southern Taraba by bandits, yet, unfortunately, he allowed the power play in Taraba, where retired military generals are using the insecurity as cover to test their might.
Between 17th April, 2022, and 12/9/2022 , 16 murderous attacks were unleashed on several villages around the borders of Tarabna State. These incidents were recorded and graphic details forwarded to the office of the fomer National Security Adviser,General Babagana Monguno, unfortunately, not much was achieved to rescue the state from the stronghold of the bandits.
The bandits maimed and killed hundreds of Kuteb people. Also attacked were Ukpan and Rikwenmboi in Yangtu SDA. Kuteb villages of Kpashi, Dinyina, Kando, Gbankwe, Gangum, Tati, Bassang, Rikwentumum, also, troops of the 93 Battalion, Nigerian Army drafted to respond to distress calls from villagers in Takim were ambushed in an attacked by bandits, leading to loss of the gallant soldiers and abduction of the commanding officer, Lt. Col. Okore.
In the face of the silence of the authorities, the spate of attacks moved to Tati-kumbu, Fawen, Flashin, Rikwentumum, Rikwen cwu, Tswaen 1, Tswaen 2, Kashiten, Mbiya, Kakum, Kpashimbe, Rikwentam, Tutuwa, Ripaenchin, Kutukok and Gaba area, among others, in Takum and Ussa LGAs. Further attacks involved Jenuwa Nyifiye in Yangtu SDA up till the end of June, with bandits killing many and carting away motorcycles and other valuables; in Muji 1 and Mbiya, scores of people were killed in cold blood on their farms. According to a veterinary doctor (names withheld): “the Bandits killed 12 members of my family.”
Now that the United Nations wants to partner with Taraba State government, and reasoning that the governor is already handing over the problems of insecurity, environmental degradation, delapidated educational buildings, agricultural problems and structural problems caused by the dastardly activities of ravaging bandits, many are quick to ask, what happens to the security vote and other funds allocated to the state from federal the budget for education, security, agriculture, health and other state problems? Would the state governor account for the foreign financial intervention?
————————————
Public Security Hints (3)
a: Never trust anyone in this digital world.
b: Keep your success plans with you, as many dont wish you well/
c. Make sure you constantly screen anyone you want to employ, especially personal aides, and have guarantors and their biodata and full photograph for each of them. You equally need to open security and biometric files for them with the police. It is necessary.
d. Be kind to your staff, as they may be of great help to you whenever you are in need.
e. Always follow due process in getting house helps or maids. This is sacrosanct and not negotiable.
f. Do not entrust your property with unknown people, like mechanics, artisans, or strangers. This could be dangerous and risky.
g. Always remember that to be safe is to feel unsafe. Heed to security tips so that you stay alive.
– By ACP Muyiwa Adejobi,
Spokesman of Nigeria Police,
Force Headquarters, Abuja
