By Emeka Alex Duru
The emphatic expression of disgust by Nigerians on the poor security situation in the country, is not for nothing. It is rather an indication of the desperate times at hand. More than any other time in the history of the country, the level of insecurity in the land in the last couple of years, has made living, a nightmare. The attack on local rice farmers in Zabarmari village, near Maiduguri, Borno State, during the weekend, once again, exposes the vulnerability of the country to assaults by suspected Boko Haram insurgents and other armed gangs.
Armed men on motorcycles reportedly killed the farmers and fishermen while they were harvesting crops. Local sources put the casualty figure at 43, while international organisations insist that the toll was up to 110. 30 of the victims were reportedly beheaded in the attack, with some women declared missing
A United Nations’ official in the region, Edward Kallon, was right in describing the incident as the most violent direct attack against innocent civilians this year. It is not that there had ever been any pronounced lull in the menace of the terrorists in the north east since the murderous Boko Haram announced its insurgency in the area. But registering such death toll in one fell swoop in a state that has been under security cordon, perhaps remains the most outstanding puzzle in the attack.
President Muhammadu Buhari in what has increasingly assumed a hackneyed disposition on such embarrassing assaults by the insurgents, has condemned the attack and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
He said: “I condemn the killing of our hard-working farmers by terrorists in Borno state. The entire country is hurt by these senseless killings. My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief. May their souls rest in peace”. He added that he has ordered the military and other security agencies to be on top of the security situation and take the battle to the terrorists.
Beyond this usual expression of empathy, it is not likely that much may be achieved in taming the audacity of the terrorists. Suggestions by Nigerians on the need to tinker with the command structures of the country’s security organisations and inject fresh blood in the system, have largely been ignored by the President. In the process, more than 37,000 people are estimated to have died in incidents involving Boko Haram, since the sect unleashed its murderous campaigns in the north east and other parts of the country since 2009. Against the backdrop of the perceived lethargy in tackling the menace, Nigerians are demanding more action from the government.
Arewa Youth groups kick
The recent protest and ultimatum by a coalition of nine Arewa youth groups on the Federal Government to address the security problem in the North or face mass action, demonstrate the frustration Nigerians are going through on account of spiraling insecurity in the country. The demand came on a day the indigenous people of Katsina State asked the government to declare a state of emergency in the state to halt the frequent killings of innocent people by bandits. The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 states in the North, also spoke in a similar note, asking the government to tackle the high level insecurity in the region. The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), also lent voices in reminding the Government and Northern governors to take affirmative action against the high rate of insecurity in the zone.
Earlier in June, more than 80 people including soldiers, were killed by suspected members of the Boko Haram in Monguno and Ngazai areas of Borno State. Within the same period, about 60 Sokoto residents were killed in raids by bandits. In April, 47 Nigerians were killed in attacks on communities in three local government areas in Katsina State. Zamfara, Niger, Adamawa, Taraba, Benue and Plateau States have also experienced sordid tales in the hands of terrorists, bandits and killer-herdsmen. The chilling developments give the North the image of a killing field and epicenter of violence.
As in the North, as in the South
States and communities in the South are not entirely free from the menace. Apart from armed gangs robbing and killing with relative ease, Kidnappers have also been on the prowl. Because of the worsening security situation in the country, people are now living in perpetual fear as they are not safe on the highways and even in their homes. Rural communities are also not spared as they are regularly invaded by bandits preventing farmers from going to their farms for fear of being killed or abducted. This is dangerous to the corporate existence of the country, according to security experts. It also runs contrary to the pledge by the Buhari administration of launching frontal attack on insecurity, at its inauguration in 2015.
What next after Zabarmari?
Critics argue that the ease at which the attacks are unleashed on Nigerians, send the impression that the security agencies are overwhelmed and lack new tactics to handle the situation. The states and federal government, according to them, also seem to shy away from the reality of the problem and appear to be living in self-denial, while people are being massacred by criminals. They thus, call on the government to rise up to the situation, especially as security of life and property is the primary responsibility of the government.
The Police, they added, should be adequately equipped and empowered to do their job of securing Nigerians and their properties. “It is not enough for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to throw up his hands in the air and lament in the face of the troubling times. Something must be done to arrest the drift. Government should act fast before the time runs out”, Dr. Nnanna Ezeocha, a public affairs analyst argued in an encounter with our reporter.
Whether the President would take proactive measures this time and halt the battering insecurity in the land, is another thing. But one thing is certain; with the Zabarmari, Borno attack, Nigeria has again occupied an odious slot in international discourse on account of its porous security arrangements.
