By Prof. Obiaraeri, N.O.
Expert and those who know insist that security is the business of everyone. That is why the slogan “if you see something say something” is a useful preventive or pre-emptive admonition or caution. What if the people see something and say or do nothing? How about where nothing is done in response to what was seen and said?
To be useful, the person or authority to whom something seen was reported to must do something. That is being responsible and responsive. It takes two to tango.
Across the globe, the primary purpose of government remains welfare and security of the people. A nation that cannot secure its citizens and promote their wellbeing is a failed State. The primacy of welfare and security is underscored in the provision of section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
It is public knowledge that insecurity is ravaging different parts of the country. It is also common knowledge that apart from the devastating insecurity threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria, it has also impacted negatively on the fundamental rights and guaranteed freedoms of the citizens. Besides, insecurity remains a major obstacle in the effort of the government to attract foreign investments. What then is the way forward? It is thought that the security challenges in Nigeria can be considerably reduced if the following among other numerous things are done namely-
(a) Good governance and altruism on the part of political leaders will help to reduce insecurity. It is now obvious that Nigeria cannot bomb or kill her way out of insecurity. Whether kinetic and or non-kinetic measures are applied in combating insecurity, only good governance can make them work. Good governance will curb legislative rascality, executive lawlessness and judicial corruption. Good governance will ensure that there are consequences for misbehaviours. Good governance will promote merit over mediocrity and help citizens to willingly agree to place nation above self. Good governance will prevent shrinking the democratic space and capture of the judiciary. Good governance will prevent worrisome and disturbing hate actions, marginalisation and discriminatory policies against citizens from certain sections ethnic, linguistic or cultural groups contrary to the provisions of section 14(3) and (4) of the CFRN, 1999 as amended Good governance will make every citizen to be obligated to perform their duties as enshrined under section 24 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended namely-
It shall be the duty of every citizen to –
(a) abide by this Constitution, respect its ideals and its institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and legitimate authorities;
(b) help to enhance the power, prestige and good name of Nigeria, defend Nigeria and render such national service as may be required;
(c) respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood;
(d) make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of the community where he resides;
(e) render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order; and
(f) declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly.
Corruption, nepotism, ethnicity, marginalisation, exclusion instead of inclusion as required by section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended are majorly responsible for conflicts that heighten the insecurity in Nigeria.
Inept and poor leadership is accountable for many issues that have led to insecurity in Nigeria. Hence, good governance will fire, provoke and sustain patriotism and make citizens to perish the awful thought that Nigeria is not worth dying for. Patriotism is taught. No one is born a patriot. It is only lack of patriotism and discipline that can make highly placed public officers and security chiefs to embezzle funds allocated for security and defence spending.
Meanwhile, section 23 of the CFRN, 1999 is explicit that “The national ethics shall be Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of Labour, Social Justice, Religious Tolerance, Self-reliance and Patriotism.”
(b) Continuous orientation and re-orientation of Nigerians is highly needed. Inculcation of the ideals of leadership and patriotism in the education curriculum of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria is strongly suggested. No one is born a patriot. Patriotism is taught and it better done early in life. Patriotism is in short supply in Nigeria. Although section 23 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended provides that “the national ethics shall be “Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of Labour, Social Justice, Religious Tolerance, Self-reliance and Patriotism”, this is obeyed more in breach than observance.
(c) The present state of insecurity makes the call for constitutional provision for the establishment of State Police to be inevitable. The present arrangement of creating one Nigeria Police Force under section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended is not working to put it mildly.
(d) Eligible citizens should be allowed to own and carry guns that are licensed and properly controlled. Proliferations of illegal arms which are in the possession of criminals have led to the death of many citizens who could have lawfully defended themselves if they were allowed to carry licensed guns.
(e) All public facilities, markets, hotels, schools religious and cultural buildings should deploy reliable Close Circuit Television systems.
(f) Digital security should be improved upon to eradicate cyber insecurity and cybercrimes.
(g) Conduct of reliable national census is key to effective planning and efficient national security. A nation that has no reliable census data and demographics will certainly be prone to insecurity.
(h) It is a given that there is need to strengthen the existing security architecture land, sea and air. This will require appropriate funding and logistics support including enhanced salary and condition of service for security personnel. The need for migration from analogue to digital security and training and retraining of security officers cannot be overemphasised.
(i) To check influx of aliens and criminal foreign elements due to porous border, security and patrols along the borders should be improved upon and appropriate technology driven devices deployed for maximum effect. These will help secure national boarders and isolate the country from rampaging external criminals- bandits and insurgents.
(j) Employment and job opportunities including social safety nets to mitigate the impact of poverty on the citizens must be made available to both the young and old in Nigeria. An idle mind is a devil’s workshop. An uneducated, hungry, poor or unemployed person is very susceptible to indoctrination and radicalization.
(k) The provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended should be altered to make the body of economic, social and cultural rights therein to be justiciable and enforceable in order to guarantee good governance and social justice. Consequently, the provision of section 6(6)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended which provide that these rights not be enforceable should be deleted or expunged from the national Constitution.
(l) To drastically reduce electoral violence and insecurity arising therefrom, political parties must imbibe internal party democracy and INEC as the electoral umpire must stand prepared to conduct free, fair and credible elections. To this end, it is suggested that an Electoral Offences Commission be set up to bring electoral offenders to book.
(m) All that is required for insurgency to be drastically combated or defeated is, re-equipping the security forces with appropriate counter-terrorism fighting capabilities, precisely, better weapons, and tech like drones, helicopter gunships, and even increased manpower. There is also the need to appreciate the fact that insurgency is propelled by ideology. The counter-terrorism operations must therefore be complemented with a well-structured de-radicalization plan. Those benefiting from the insurgency must also be identified, and dealt with.
(n) Formation of Forests Guards and Vigilantes will help to tackle terrorists’ activities although this cannot work without their being fully armed as terrorists have very sophisticated weapons and drones.
(o) Full-fledged Local Government autonomy will help in the fight against insecurity. The Local Government is the closest to the people. It is the grassroots government but they exist more on paper than in reality for the simple reason that despite the judgment of the Supreme Court, fiscal autonomy of the Local Governments remains a mirage. The constitutional functions of the Local Governments are very important and, if properly exercised, will positively impact on all the citizens of this country and thereby reduce incidents of unprecedented mass rural-urban migration, insecurity, misery, poverty, social injustice and other myriads of problems confronting the country.
(p) Amnesty and other rehabilitation programmes for repentant radicalized persons should be sincerely and holistically explored.
(q) Political resolution of certain conflicts and insecurity challenges that are brought about by agitations for self-determination, secession and calls for restructuring will help reduce incidences of insecurity in the affected areas.
In summary, existential realities and daily happenings within, around and across all nooks and crannies of Nigeria provide compelling urgency for issues of insecurity not be treated with kid gloves. Government at all levels- national and subnational- must take security seriously. This intervention is made because security remains the business or responsibility of everyone.
A new normal is possible!
*Obiaraeri, N.O. is a Professor of Law at Imo State University, Owerri
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