In a recent video that made local and international headlines last month, some terrorists have threatened to kidnap the President, Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari. The terrorists claimed they were the attackers of the Abuja-Kaduna train of March 28, 2022.
They extended the kidnap threat to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; and warned that they would sell or kill the remaining captives in their custody if their demands were not met. In the video, the captives were reduced into pathetic pulp as they were brutally beaten with sticks.
More sadly, all these are coming after President Buhari recently declared that he was tired and could not wait to leave office. This is the peak of all the daring assaults on the Nigerian State. In the same month of July there was an attack on the President’s advance team to Daura. Nigeria’s ‘most fortified’ prison was also invaded by gunmen who later identified themselves as members of the Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP).
The gun men freed more than 60 of their members and hundreds of others who had been kept in the prison. After that time, killings across the country generally increased by 24 percent. Mere anarchy appears to have been let loose in the state of Nigeria. In all these there has not been any serious statement from the Presidency and the entire security agencies.
The only statement from the Presidency is that military action would hurt hostages; just as if that is the only way to address the problem. We are alarmed at the general state of insecurity and the threat to kidnap the president.
Many security analysts have openly classified the country’s security crisis as loophole in intelligence gathering. Equipped with appropriate intelligence reports, Nigeria should be able to ward off any threat or attacks in different parts of her territory.
If the President’s convoy that consists of a standard minimum security of 59 armed vehicles of different forces is not enough deterrent to terrorists, the ordinary citizens of the country are not in any way safe.
Who are these terrorists and bandits who have practically forced the Federal Republic of Nigeria to her knees and humiliated the president with the threat of kidnap? Are they so invisible and invincible that the country must allow them to continue operating freely in Nigeria? What has happened to satellite imagery and other sky equipment that can track and repel these terrorists? In Nigeria defence contracts worth millions of dollars are awarded yearly.
These contracts allegedly include things like fighter jets, armoured tanks, assault rifles, etc. Why are we still under terrorists’ threats? We reject in its entirety the option of negotiating with terrorists that many have brought to the table. No serious-minded nation negotiates with terrorists and criminals.
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Doing so amounts to cowardice and surrender of sovereignty. As a last resort, attacking the scoundrels in their hideouts should not be ruled out. If truly our security agents know the terrorists’ locations, they should invade the camps and massively wide them out.
The inevitable causalities amongst the captives can be declared as national martyrs and compensation paid to their families. It is better to lose 50 lives in brave, decisive circumstances than negotiate with and pay ransom to terrorists who will continually be empowered to threaten two hundred million Nigerians.
We strongly recommend that The Nigerian military should heavily guard external parts of the Federal Capital Territory to prevent any external invasion. While this is done, the Police and DSS should launch special movements to comb all communities in order identify strangers and interlopers.
Curfews can be set, movements restricted, more checkpoints mounted etc. Most importantly, this should be carried out in a moderate manner so as not to create fear and panic amongst residents. External help can be sought for equipment to track these terrorists.
It is high time the government began to hold responsible the heads of security agencies under whose jurisdiction insecurity prevail. Such should either be sacked or forced to resign. In conclusion, terrorists daring to abduct the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an absolute disgrace to the Nigerian State.
The President has declared publicly through words and action that he is tired and cannot wait to leave. It is high- time he threw in the towel for the sake of his own honour and national security and allow a more decisive leader take over the reins of power.
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