In few days, Nigerians will bid 2022 goodbye and like every other year, 2022 has come with some successes and difficulties in its train. Chief of these challenges for Nigeria is insecurity.
The reign of terrorists and bandits in the North, kidnappers and militants in the South and banned Biafran Agitators in the East, although not entirely expanded, have left Nigerians in constant fear for their lives.
In the year under review, Nigerians experienced a bloody January with a Premium times report claiming at least 486 people were killed in the first three weeks of 2022 by non-state actors across Nigeria.
This piece reviews major security breaches this year and what must be done to avert such danger in 2022.
On March 28, 2022, an Abuja–Kaduna train was attacked in Katari, Kaduna State, Nigeria. In response, the Nigeria Railway Corporation briefly halted operations along the route. In that attack, 8 persons were reportedly killed and over 60 abducted. The victims were released in batches and the final batch was released in early October. While the train returned to work 3 weeks ago, Nigerians will be hoping that the government has put in place necessary facilities to avert such attack in the future.
On June 5, 2022, a mass shooting and bomb attack occurred at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and 40 people were killed, on August 9, Chief of Defence staff, Lucky Irabor, announced that gunmen behind the attack on the church had been arrested. However there has not been any development on the issue. But, such attack was unheard of in the southern part of the country.
On June 30, 2022, gunmen killed at least 43 people including 30 soldiers and seven mobile police personnel in an attack on a mining site in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Many Chinese nationals and Nigerians were also abducted during the attack on the site.
On the night of July 5, 2022, terrorists attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre in the Federal Capital Territory, after the incident, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said over 600 of the inmates fled the prisons.
On July 6, 2022, suspected bandits attacked the security convoy of President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina state. Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said two people in the convoy sustained minor injuries. Shehu noted that the convoy, which was carrying a team of security guards as well as protocol and media officers, was on its way to Daura, Buhari’s hometown, to prepare for his visit when the attack took place.
These are aside the different kidnappings, killings, arson on INEC facilities, destruction of government properties.
As we look towards 2023, the federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari or is successor must pay keen attention towards improving intelligence gathering by security outfits and take actions.
What is the content of the security briefs that the President receives on a daily basis, how is he reacting to them, why should he continue to receive these briefs if actions would not follow?
Next, the President must ensure that security agencies root out accomplices of criminals from their ranks. If the Security chiefs cannot cleanse their outfits of saboteurs within a short stipulated period, then they have not basis remaining in office.
Another, is that the government and the Federal Government has to begin to look at modalities of allowing state security outfits bear arms to assist the police and military in intelligence gathering and countering criminal elements.
Nigeria, for the sake of its economy and existence cannot afford to let insecurity fester in 2023, We must fight this battle collectively.
