Are Nigerian Generals just there to wear ranks and allow terrorists roam free? NOASNP queries

NAOSNP said: “In the Army alone, there are over 100 Major Generals, tens of Vice Admirals and Air Vice Marshal in both the Navy and Airforce respectively. What are they doing? In the Nigeria Police, you probably lost counts of Commissioners of Police. Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGs) and Deputy Inspector of Police (DIGs). Are they there to wear just ranks and allow terrorists to overwhelm the rest of us?

By Eberechi Obinagwam

Following the high rate of insecurity, especially the recent attacks which have gotten so many people within and outside government talking, worried and seeking solutions, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has come up with the suggestion that the government should employ sophisticated security technology, and explore both local intelligence gathering.

Speaking on behalf of the union in a statement, the president, Oki Samson, said that the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train and the Kaduna airport which prevented Azman airlines from taking off are indications that the terrorists have advanced their technological innovations, that if not checked by the security forces, it might not only be calamitous but will spell doom for the country.

“The fact remains that the military need to do more than it is presently doing. Beyond aggressive confrontation, this is a time to explore both local intelligence gathering, and at the same time, employ sophisticated security technology. It should also watch its deradicalisation programme not to shoot itself on the feet as many of the so-called ‘repentant terrorists’ may still be loyal to their traditional lineage – terrorist network.

“Besides, the military must take cognisance of those who are voluntarily turning themselves in as terrorists. Boko Haram and ISWAP networks might use them as bait to gather information, analyse and sieve such information and use it to hit back hard on the military at the slightest opportunity.

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“Again, the military must not ignore some disgruntled elements within the ranks that might want to constitute a clog in the wheel of progress by divulging classified information to the terrorists either as sympathetic followers or for monetary gains,” NAOSNP president said.

According to him, the March 28th incident is the second in a series of attacks on the railways.

”The first being in 2021 leading to shooting at a moving train. It is unfortunate that since then, no decisive step seems to have taken place to nip it in the bud. After the train was shot at and another rail line bombed, we ought to have deployed a helicopter to monitor the movement of trains.

”If the narration from victims that the terrorists spoke Fulfulde language was true, it goes to show that while combating terrorism within the country, efforts should be made to tighten our borders with neighbouring countries.

“What is the Nigeria Immigration Service doing to get firm control over the movement of unregistered foreigners? Go to our streets and see the number of Nigeriens, Chadians, Beninoise, Cameroonians, Malians and Sudanese citizens who have no means of identification? These are working tools in the hands of terrorists and they allegedly carry out reconnaissance missions for them before the attack. Until we mop up these unregistered and monitor other registered individuals, peace might elude us,” queried the NAOSNP president.

Worried about the incident, he said “The attacks on a train with 398 passengers is a huge affront on our National Security. But how the number of passengers rose to 970 as alleged is a pointer to the security agencies to contend with and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in particular to analyse and deal with frontally.

“The unfortunate thing is that where the bandits are giving headache along Kaduna-Abuja road, a very heavily forested area is not up to 30km along the highway. How come we can’t police a place of not more than 30kms as a country? How come we can’t put intelligence assets and keep terrorists away or get them neutralised?

“In the Army alone, there are over 100 Major Generals, tens of Vice Admirals and Air Vice Marshal in both the Navy and Airforce respectively. What are they doing? In the Nigeria Police, you probably lost counts of Commissioners of Police. Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGs) and Deputy Inspector of Police (DIGs). Are they there to wear just ranks and allow terrorists to overwhelm the rest of us?

“Let it be understood that every security Committee at the National Assembly has failed us. They only bark when occurrences of this nature happen. Are they legislating over dead people or those that are alive? This season of giving an ultimatum to the military at the slightest occurrence of attack is tragic and unfortunate,” said the NAOSNP president.

Reacting to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi’s comment on the Abuja-Kaduna Train attack, he said his utterances are only an indication that something is wrong with us as a nation.

“We have all failed ourselves. These are, certainly, bad times for our country. Terrorists, bandits, kidnappers are not friends but our enemies,” he lamented.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi had on Tuesday said that the train attack would have been avoided if his colleague ministers had not frustrated his efforts to install a surveillance device to monitor the rail track.

According to him, “We knew what the problem would be. We knew we needed to have digital security equipment. We applied for it because if we had that equipment, you will see anybody on that track. And I warned that lives will be lost. Now, lives are lost. Eight persons dead, and 25 persons in the hospital. We don’t know how many persons have been kidnapped. And the cost of that equipment is just N3 billion.

“The cost of what we’ve lost is more than N3 billion. We’ve lost tracks, we’ve lost locomotives and coaches. We’ve lost human beings. And the equipment is just N3 billion. To fix all the things on that track now, will cost us more than N3 billion,” he said.