Former IGP, Customs spokesman, academic, lawyer brainstorm Nigeria’s security problem
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Human rights lawyer, Barrister Monday Ubani, has urged the federal government to always make decisions that will not take advantage of its citizens when they sit to make laws.
Ubani, made this known in a conference organised by the National Association of Online Security Reporters, (NAOSRE), with the theme: Tackling Insecurity in Nigeria Amidst Covid-19: The Nigeria Experience, via virtual team webinar.
He said his statement was based from his observations during the lock down at the Niger bridge, the boundary between Delta and Anambra state while he travelled to the east recently.
He disclosed that security agents who were meant to stop further spread of Covid 19 virus, by ensuring that people do not move about freely, were just exchanging money, collecting money from passengers and drivers.
“The money these guys made were enough to open a bank. They were not even observing social distance, no protective measures. It was an open market to them. Why, because government made decisions that took advantage of people but I won’t blame them that much because this is the first ever pandemic.
“The pandemic came so sudden. It was unexpected. But, they should learn from this. They should see that the laws are not violated when making laws, also make laws that won’t take advantage of people,” he stated.
He recommended the use of social media and urged the Nigeria Police to allow accused persons access to phones for incident recording while in custody which is a fundamental right of a citizen.
“What are they hiding from? people should be allowed to use their phones for records purpose.
“Most of the things we saw was from social media. The social media helped to expose this security agents and I acknowledge the police for their actions in ensuring that those that were caught in the act were seriously punished,” he said.
He emphased that the rights of people must be respected except we want to live in a lawless society.
“Law is supreme. Anybody can be a victim of this law. Like Magu, I saw him talking about human rights. It’s his turn now, but same him was busy detaining people.
“I mean, the Nigeria Police can impose laws without being nasty. Arrest of a person can be done in a right manner. Nigeria police take pleasures in detaining people, putting victims in bars without observing human rights.
“In the month of March, security agents wasted more lives than save lives. Records revealed that while the disease killed 11 people in the period under review, security agents killed 18. We should use this pandemic to learn,” he said.
While responding to Ubani’s comment, Professor Odion Akhaine of Lagos State University, said that it was clear that there was a violation of law because they didn’t take it as educational process.
He suggested a creative response to the abnormalities that define security operations and called for training and intelligent approach to tackling insecurity including political will that transcends political party affinity to deal with all forms of immediate and foreseen insecurity threats.
On his part, former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, noted that Nigeria’s security landscape and the current architecture are vulnerable to various risks generated by peculiarities as a country, adding that since the universal essence of government is security, those in authority should endeavour to fund training of military officers for effective discharge of security duties.
“Intelligence gathering is very key in modern security operations. Officers must think outside the box. They must engage in information sharing to be able to nip criminal activities in the bud. Retired and experienced security experts should be included in the security architecture so that citizens and businesses can move unhindered,” he said.
He stated that security is a situational discipline involving direct and indirect threats which requires sound understanding of the operating environment through effective intelligence for decision mechanism capable of mitigating security risks.
He used the medium to appeal for adequate welfare of officers and men in uniform instead of putting blames on them.
He lamented that police officers went about their duties at the early stage of this pandemic without nose masks. They would go on duty for several hours without adequate provision for welfare and they were sufficiently exposed to danger, he said.
He called on the high command to give attention to officers training and welfare.
Also, Nigerian Customs spokesman, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah, stated the need for citizens’ cooperation with security agents for effective tackling of insecurity in Nigeria amidst Covid-19.
He stated that the challenges are quite enormous than envisaged.
He pointed out the risks of securing borders, sea and air ports given that goods cleared by Custom officers are coming from high risk countries.
He explained that the Customs Service is a frontline agency that engages what goes out and what comes into the country every second of the day.
“Most of our officers suffered consequences. Some were and still being quarantined because we are always available to receive items even from high risk countries,” he said.
He urged citizens to capture violation of their rights including illegal fee collections with short video recording for necessary disciplinary actions, assuring that the Customs is committed to adequate and professional border security including respects of the rule of law.
