Photo caption: CHRICED logo
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education has expressed deep concerns over the rising wave of terror attacks across the country, accusing Nigeria’s current security chiefs of underperformance.
As a result, the group called for urgent reforms within the nation’s security architecture.
Speaking on the disturbing trend, CHRICED’s Senior Programme Officer, Omoniyi Adewoye, stated that the initial zeal demonstrated by the various was security heads upon their appointments had waned, leading to growing inefficiency in combating insecurity.
“It is obvious that the current set of security chiefs have begun to relent in the discharge of their duties,” Adewoye said. “Initially when they were newly appointed, most of them were performing, probably to justify their appointments by the President, but once they got settled in office and their positions guaranteed, they started to lose the zeal with which they started. So, at the moment, most of them are underperforming, and as such, it may be an indication that it is time for the president to bring in fresh hands to strengthen the security architecture.”
Adewoye attributed the emergence of new terror groups across the country to the glaring weaknesses in Nigeria’s intelligence system.
He questioned the capacity of agencies such as the Department of State Services and the intelligence units within the military and police to effectively detect and dismantle threats before they escalate.
According to the Programme Officer, “How come the Department of State Security and the intelligence arms of the military and the Police Force were not able to track these terror groups and crush them before they become established?”
Adewoye further lamented the growing perception that crime, especially kidnapping, had become a profitable venture in Nigeria due to the failure of the security system to impose meaningful consequences on perpetrators.
“Kidnappers go about their businesses without any fear of consequences because they are aware that the security agencies have demonstrated a lack of capacity to combat crime and criminality,” he lamented.
On the factors fueling insecurity, Adewoye pointed out included the recurring pattern of violence intensifying ahead of national elections, suggesting political motivations behind some of the attacks.
“Anytime we are approaching a general election period, the moment politicians begin to campaign for elections, there is usually escalation of insecurity across the country. This has always been the pattern since 1999,” he observed.
“It is an indication that Nigerian politicians are too desperate for power, and they can go to any extent, including compromising national security to achieve their selfish political motives.”
He also raised concerns over the continued freedom of notorious terrorists like Bello Turji, implying complicity at high levels of power.
“The fact that notorious terrorists such as Bello Turji remain at large should tell any discerning mind that these people have the backing of some powerful people, possibly in the government and even in the top military hierarchy,” Adewoye said.
As frustration mounts over the state of national security, CHRICED warned that Nigerians may begin to take the law into their own hands if the government fails to act decisively.
“Definitely, it is getting to that point where citizens individually and collectively will begin to resort to self-defence,” he cautioned, adding that state governors, especially in the North, must consider establishing regional security outfits similar to the South-West’s Amotekun to support federal forces.
The rights activist concluded by stressing that the inability of state authorities to provide adequate security could further push communities into resorting to self-help.
