Security practitioners are quick to advance the popular theory that acts of insecurity often operates from different levels and it is multi-dimensionally operational.
Every season breeds its type of criminality which cumulatively are described as insecurity because people are subjected to harm or danger.
Unfortunately, as individuals, group or as a country, we have flouted simple natural and societal laws because the government has not risen to its expected constitutional responsibility. According to records, many overpopulated countries have started operating the “Two-child policy”. This is recommended if the country is to be in full control of its future development.
A two-child policy has previously been used in several countries including Iran, Singapore, and Vietnam. In British Hong Kong in the 1970s, citizens were also highly encouraged to have two children as a limit (although it was not mandated by law), and it was used as part of the region’s family planning strategies. All these measures are targeted at curbing unnecesary over population which in turn could breed insecurity because the government would be over stretched in providing the needed resources thereby opening doors for the evil one (Devil) the free hand to engage the millions of unemployed youths roaming the streets.
Unfortunately, underage children in their numbers are reportedly roaming the streets of Kano and other northern states begging for alms. They are described as “Almajiri.” Their reappearance in large numbers in all the northern states should be of enormous serious concern to all levels of governments and security agencies. It would be recalled that the same scenario played out 2006 and 2008 when a Muslim cleric mosque was the visiting place of succour to hundreds of Almajiris” youths from neighbouring countries and within Borno State. Unfortunately , these youths were later transformed into “ Jihadist” millitants right under the nose of both the government and security agencies. Till date no one official of government was held for negligence. Meanwhile the country is yet to recover from the mayhem and disaster and killings that ensued.
A forgetful country that deliberately deleted the subject of History from it school curriculum, would find it hard to remember or recall how these Almajiris were transformed into killer foot -soldiers of the Boko Haram (Nigerian terrorist group). Unconfirmed record says over five million innocent people including security personels may have died during the over a decade long insurgency.
Today, the news of the invasion of Kano by young boys suspected to be Almajiri is born out of the fear of past experience when they were ready tools in the hands of Boko Haram. So, what prevents them from being tools in the hands of armed bandits and other criminals?.
It is known fact that the northern border is very porous. No wonder alot of criminality are easily perpetrated at the broader. Crimes like smuggling of vehicles and goods, including human and trafficking of illicit drugs. Apart from the northern criminality. Of grave concern are the over twelve million unemployed youths roaming around like roaring Lions, whom the holy scripture says, “ are looking for whom to devour. Truely, both the insecurity situation and the woresing economic situation in the country. Despite the assurances of former government and those of the present administration, the situation looks intractable and confusing to our political leaders. Indeed, unemployment, social injustice, economic down turn at all levels, poor medical facilities, rising cost of education , housing and many others, are the emerging pointers to new unfolding dimensions of insecurity in the country. No wonder Mr Shehu Garba, the former media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari , disclose that 16 millions attempts were made to hack into INEC Server during the 2023 presidential election .
The same disclosure was made by INEC during the trio gubernatorial elections (Imo, Balyesa and Kogi), that hackers attempted to hack the server. Also banks recent private messages to customers ,notifying them of what they describe as ,” System Maintenance” and one wonders how many times in a quarter would a bank experience such shut down . Observers are thinking that hackers are on the prowl.
Also worrisome is the rising cost of consumable products and items in the markets. The inability of ordinary Nigerian to make ends meet socially, economically could trigger concealed anger into societal upheaval. After all, it is an undisputable wise saying that “ A hungry man is an angry man.” These unfolding new criminality are becoming more obvious as the yelutide season draws closer because record has it that crime rate increases as we step into the festive season. The festive season is when some people engage in fraudulent activities to make money to celebrate.
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Egbetokun onerous task ahead
Indeed the onerous task ahead of lnspector General of police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun aimed at complete reorganisation of the police seems overwhelming and daunting. With barely a year before his official retirememt, the police image is redeemable and tampered policies can be corrected and better fine tuned. Egbetokun can overhaul the entire police structure by introducing one of the security agenda which is the establishment of the State police system and should divorce his administration from the “ Emi-lo-kan” syndrome which is being introduce through the nepotistic policy. Many believe that not enough consultation is done before policies are implemented.
Tapping from the vast professional experiences of elderly retired officers cannot be in vain but would guide where mistakes are avoidable. Truely, the office of the IGP like that of service chiefs could be over challenging when the occupier does not allow for ventilation of opinions and advice . Also the office could be overwhelming if the occupier is bereft of ideas and allow politicians to becloud every of his security judgement to the detriment of the institution. These are the task before the lnspector General of police, to restore sanity discipline and rededication so that the dwindling image of the police can be restored.(Concluded)
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Security hint
This is to advice members of the public that the Nigeria Customs Service does not auction vehicles on any social media platform.
Also, Customs does not recruit on any social media platform.
Therefore, members of the public should avoid anyone toutingas a Customs official. Be wise!
By Titus Omajali
Superintendent of Customs.