THE NEED FOR GOVT TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN SECURITY THAT MAKES CITIZENS LOOK UP TO NON-STATE ACTORS LIKE SUNDAY IGBOHO
Written by Oladimeji Daniels
For some days now, nothing has made news like the ultimatum issued by the Ondo State Government to herdsmen to vacate forest reserves in the state.
This has reverberated across the country, evoking both support and condemnation from different quarters. No doubt, it is a case of different strokes for different folks.
Unlike many state governments, the Akeredolu administration took that bold step in its efforts to carry out its primary constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property. While the presidency and groups like Northern Elders Forum may have countered or criticised the ultimatum, the humongous support that it received across the length and breath of the country and far outside the borders of the country is an indication that indeed residents of the southwest are tired of the onslaught of herdsmen which has led to the needless loss of many lives and is fast making farming and travelling dreaded enterprises for many.
Plaqued by seeming government’s insensitivity and the usual statements of sympathy from the Buhari presidency, the directive from the Ondo State government is like a lone tiny star in a cloudy sky on a dark night.
For people who hitherto had no bread, not to talk of half-bread, the directive by the Ondo State government was like a hug on a cold night for the homeless. Even though they know that an ultimatum is nothing without a strong political will, especially in the face of political under-the-table dealings, it was a pint-sized bread they were ready to swallow.
The same is true of Oyo State, where in the face of seeming failure of security agencies and government, the people had to look to a non-state actor in Sunday Igboho for salvation. This is a dangerous trend and its destination can only be a state where government is not recognised because of its inability to protect citizens and enthrone justice and fairness.
Nigeria certainly is not the only country plaqued by insecurity, but the Nigerian government must be careful to not send the wrong signal by buying into a skewed narrative of “we against them” or “them against us”. It is impressions like this that push the people to take up arms to defend themselves, and wherever people choose to usurp government’s responsibility of security of lives and property, the result is usually like the chaos in Oyo State.
Because the people cannot wait forever for government to carry out its constitution-prescribed duty and not protect themselves, the Federal Government and the federating units must go beyond the rhetorics of blames and counter-blames. They must roll up their sleeves and trousers and get down to the real business of security. This is beyond an IG issuing arrest orders from far away Abuja. If one Sunday Igboho is arrested, government can be sure that another will rise. What is paramount at this time is plugging the leak that makes citizens trust a Sunday Igboho than an elected government.
On their part, the southwestern states should give Amotekun teeth to bite by employing in its ranks local hunters. These hunters know the forests, which have become a harbour for kidnappers, like the back of their hands. To employ jobless graduates out of political camaderie is tantamount to a journey to nowhere.
Traditional rulers and village heads must also be involved for effective intelligence gathering.
Finally, those playing politics must realize that you can only be elected over people. Thus, the people come first. To abandon them to live in fear or perish needlessly in their own village or country is to push them to resort to self-help as seen in Oyo State.