… Plans afoot to set up the South East Joint Security outfit
… FG already informed and will be briefed before programme takes off
… Legislators to enact law setting up the South East security outfit
By Chudi Okoye and Ndu Chris Nwannah, ATM Guest Writer
There aren’t as yet explicit rumours of war in Nigeria. But there is no doubt a dark spell of insecurity pervading the land, with an overhanging sense of governmental incompetence felt almost everywhere. Tales of violence and gore in the core North are rampant, as blatant Boko Haram terror unfolds in the face of seeming helplessness on the part of the mighty federal government of Nigeria.
As Boko Haram terrorism goes viral, there is also a spiral of violent conflicts between nomadic herders from northern Nigeria and sedentary agrarian communities in the central zones. The menace is now also spreading southward with relentless herder migration – in part driven by desertification, insecurity and the loss of grazing land in the north, and allegedly by geopolitical considerations. The audacious southward migration of Fulani herders is roiling southern communities, with boiling competition over land between herders and farmers. Farmers and farming communities are at the mercy of herders who are in the habit of invading farmers and their households, with gory accounts of destruction of lives and properties heard with disturbing frequency.
Other forms of insecurity and lawlessness are also manifesting across Nigeria. Kidnappers are on the rampage in virtually every part of the nation. Armed robbery is almost a daily occurrence, just like cult related crimes. This is to say nothing of the heinous crimes committed by ritualists who daily abduct children and adults for power and money rituals. And now banditry has been added to the mix of security issues plaguing the country.
The growing insecurity had led to widespread concern expressed by groups and eminent Nigerians, including politicians and traditional rulers, demanding effective government response to the security menace. Some senators even demanded that the service chiefs should be sacked for their failure to manage the security crises. Much of such calls had gone seemingly unheeded.
When finally the president of Nigeria, septuagenarian Muhammadu Buhari, deigned to address the rising insecurity, he feigned surprise at the reign of terror spreading across the country. His halting reaction is causing palpable doubt concerning not just whether the Buhari government is capable of controlling the security situation but if indeed it is willing to wade in. The jury is out on the federal government’s seriousness and preparedness.
Meanwhile, a wary world watches, warning visitants to be vigilant in the turbulent country, especially if travellers intend to visit the more violent parts of the country. Nigeria had the dubious distinction of placing third in the Global Terrorism Index in 2019, behind only Afghanistan and Iraq, but today may well be further up the rank of scourge with the surge in Boko Haram terrorism, herder conflicts and myriad other outrages. America has already slapped a ban on the grant of immigrant visa to Nigerians, a humiliating commentary on the state of affairs in the country.
Geopolitical Responses
In reaction to the festering tumor of insecurity in Nigeria and the apparent stupor of federal response, subnational authorities, organizing as geopolitical coalitions, are forming their own security apparatuses to defend against the growing menace. On January 9, 2020, governors of the six South West (SW) states of Nigeria (Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti. Ondo and Lagos) took a dramatic step and launched the Western Nigeria security network named ‘Operation Amotekun’. Reports indicate that the six states each contributed 20 vehicles and 100 motorbikes, and are providing funding for the recruitment, training and equipping of the Amotekun personnel, and for the operation of the outfit.
Announcing the initiative in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, the South West governors insisted that Amotekun (which means ‘leopard’) was meant merely to complement the overstretched mainstream security agencies, and would be able to offer the level of security and cover far-flung territorial reaches beyond the capability of mainstream agencies. It is said that the federal government has signaled its accent to the setup in the South West, as the legal architecture is being worked out.
In the North, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has announced the formation of ‘Operation Shege Ka Fasa’ ostensibly to tackle the problems of kidnapping, banditry and other crimes in the northern states.
It appears, however, that sections of the northern political establishment do not support the outfit. The Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Mr Simon Lalong, in a press interview, stated that northern governors were not behind the Shege Ka Fasa security outfit which had been set up without consulting the governors. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, at a Northern Security Meeting in Kaduna on February 6, also dismissed Operation Shege Ka Fasa.
Nevertheless, CNG has said that it would seek legal recognition from relevant federal authorities, criticizing the northern elites for being disconnected from the masses..
In the South East (SE) zone comprising the core Igbo states, there is also an ongoing effort to address the security situation, but there is not as much apparent speed as seen so far in the South West. The South East Governors Forum had earlier engaged the security issue back in 2019, and it revisited the matter during a Forum meeting that held in Enugu on February 9, 2020.
South East Security Issues
Emerging from the recent South East Governors Forum meeting, the governors released a communique addressing numerous issues of concern to the region. The release, which was presented by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi, dwelt to some extent on a zonal security arrangement.
According to Governor Umahi, “The governors had formed their South East Joint Security on July 28, 2919 and inaugurated her Committee on Joint Security on the 31 of August 2019.”
This statement translates to the fact that the SE initiative had been announced well before the SW’s Amotekun security agenda. What then could be the hindrance preventing the actualization of the Joint Security plan, several months after it was announced? The South West has rolled out its zonal security plan, providing funding, trained personnel and gadgets, and is now reverse-engineering the legal architecture for the outfit, with SW South-West attorneys general met on February 7 in Ibadan where they adopted a draft bill on Amotekun to be presented in each of the six state houses of assembly in the SW. The South East, from all indications, is still at the pre-legislative stage and is still consulting on the legal framework.
The communique from the recent meeting of the Governors’ Forum noted that after taking a briefing from the Chairman of the South East Joint Security Committee, the Forum was satisfied “with all the arrangements that will lead [the] South East State Houses of Assembly to enact a law to back up the South East Security Programme with a name [for] the outfit.”
It assured that at the appropriate time the Federal Government would be informed of the details of the Joint Security Programme.
The release also stressed that the State Vigilante and the Forest Guards are daily working with security agencies in the South East to protect lives and property.
As good as these announcements sound, it is important to note that the application of the initiative is fundamental to offering robust security to the people. The South East governors are expected to brush aside any hinderance to their lofty agenda. Political differences should be kept aside in the quest to offer efficient security to the people. Political will is also very important in this venture. If the governors continue to speak without acting collectively, this task may not be accomplished. They must apply the will to succeed and must not wait till more lives and property are lost before acting decisively.
Other South East Matters
It was heartwarming that the forum also looked at infrastructure in the zone and commended the federal government over the pace of work at Akanu ibiam International Airport, Enugu. According to the communique issued by the Forum,
“The South East Governors took a brief on the rehabilitation and expansion of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu from His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Chairman of the Works Committee of the South East Governors on the Project, Sir Engr. Chris Okoye…
“Forum noted the quality and speedy progress of work by the contractor, PW Nig. Ltd. Forum is very satisfied with the progress so far made and assurances of integrated safety and landing facilities, fencing and drainages incorporated in this package.”
The Forum further applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring prompt release of money for the airport upgrading work. In the words of the governors,
“Forum, therefore, commended His Excellency, Mr. President for his prompt in full release of special funding for the project.
“Forum also commended the Governor of Enugu State for making more land available and his commitment in the overall success of the project.
“Forum also commended the Hon. Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika for his commitment and constant supervision of the project.
“Forum also commended the Works Committee Chairman on the project, Sir Engr. Chris Okoye and his team for efficient supervision and monitoring of the project.”
The most cheering news however is the readiness of the Federal Government to reopen the airport by the 31st of next month.
“Forum assures our people that Mr. President, the Hon. Minister of Aviation, the Chief of Staff to Mr. President and indeed all stakeholders to this project are committed to the re-opening of the Airport by 31 of March,” the statement said
The governors were happy over the speed with which work on the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway was being pursued. They however called for proper funding to ensure the completion of road projects before the rains set in.
“Forum took brief from the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu on the Enugu-PH Federal Highway that is on-going. Forum commended the Federal Government on speedy and quality work, though a number of sections are yet to be attended to, especially the Abia-PH axis being handled by a Chinese Company. Our findings show that they are not yet properly funded, as to effect reasonable work before the rainy season. While thanking Mr. President and the Hon. Minister of Works for this road, we appeal that all the companies be fairly funded so as to attend to most of the deplorable sections before the rainy season.”
The forum looked at the progress of the Enyimba Economic City.
“The Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Chief Okezie Ikpeazu also briefed Forum on the Enyimba Economic City. He assured on the success of the programme so far. He, however, requested that the associated part of the programme, which is the ring road connecting South East and South South be commenced.”
The Governors were thrilled over the possibility of completing the second Niger Bridge during the tenure of President Buhari. They commended the adequate release of funds to prosecute the work. As they put it,
“Forum took a brief from the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chief Willy Obiano, represented by His Deputy, His Excellency, Dr. Nkem Okeke, on the progress of work on the 2nd Niger Bridge. A full view of on-going work was shown to the South East Governors. Forum and stakeholders commended Mr. President, the Hon. Minister of Works, the Chief of Staff to Mr. President and the Managing Director of National Social Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji, for making this project a reality. With the level of funding by Mr. President, we are confident that this project shall be completed in his tenure.”
The SE Governors Forum said they appreciated all efforts made by Ohaneze Ndi Igbo to ensure the success of the activities of the forum and pledged to always collaborate with the group.
“We thank Ohaneze Ndi Igbo for visiting us in our meeting, today, as we note all the useful advice given to the Forum. We pledge to work with them for the benefit of our people,” the release noted.
