PARTIAL EMERGENCY RULE: A PALLIATIVE TO TERRORISM By Robert Nwokoro. For many months now, Ive been dumbfounded vis-a-vis the mysteries ravaging the security sector. Especially in addressing the recurring circumstances of insurgency in the North-East. Yesterday evening, I read in the news that FG may strike a total emergency rule in most troubled North-Eastern states. A bold step has already been taken to buttress this claim with FG consulting three leaders of boader countries on how to end the reign of insurgent groups in the region. The meeting which was held under the company of Ali Mohdu Sherif, the contraversial ex-Governor of Borno, witnessed criticism and condemnation by some people. (this will make topic another day) And I am asking whether the FG and the Security Council are just realising that the partial-emergency rule currently in use is ineffective to combat the gruesome activities of terrorists in North-East?. It is simply incompetent to effect change to the degree in which the insurgents are proliferating and propagating their deadly activities. If such impoverished posture is sustained without improvement, with respect I am afraid that that can never salvage the North-Eastern region let alone the country from the clutches of the insurgents as the future of the country remains uncertain even to those who ride on its back like horse. Comparative, the so called emergency rule currently invoked is like a palliative drug given to a sick person which will only silence the disease for a short time as the disease will rejuvenate gradually into a dynamite and when the disease will blow is unknown, it ends up been a total disaster for the victim. That is the picture of what Nigeria looks like in the face of terrorism and insecurit. The FG should have known that Nigeria is part and parcel of the modern world and all her response to global trends must as a matter of dynamism conform to that of the world. Security is such an important obligation the state owes her citizens. Although our dear country is still a developing state, we are aware of that and also aware of the fact that we are confronted with numerous challenges which terrorism is prominently one of them. However, terrorism has metamorphosed to a global phenominon with its activities spreading over Africa and Nigeria is already infested, perhaps as the spring-head of Africa. For it is said in the proverbs that a strange death that intends to wipe a family often begins with the father. But terrorism will not wipe this clan. But that is under one condition. That our leaders should stop treating it with kids glove...kabisa! My major concern is the manner in which the govt relates or had related to security matters especially that of terrorism. Her directives and measures aimed at haulting this carnage that has eaten deep into the fabrics of Nigerian state has been frustrated and shattered by the dynamic insurgents and their bush drummers who are unknown inside their masks, as the situation keep deteriorating to a climax where insurgents now seize towns and force the security agents to outrun their shadows. Govt is sometime said to be the machinery of the state... but I want to point out that the efficacy of every machine lies in its dynamism to contend with dynamic environment where it operates. And I am tempted to ask whether our own govt is not dynamic? If the current strategy used by the govt to contend terrorism is inefficient, porous and unyielding, why not change to another strategy than watch aimlessly and turn the security sector into jocularity? Security is a global fundamental obligation on the part of government of every nation and in pursuant to section 14 sub (2) (b) of our constitution, this obligation is unambigously enshrined to stimulate the consciousness of the govt to keep to this obligation. In my opinion, I think the FG got it all wrong not to have declared total emergency rule since 25th Dec, 2011, after the bombing of St Theresar Cathedral so as to undermine the ulceration of terrorism or its imminent escalation taking into account the revelation it made with the tragedies of 2011. If that was the situation, I think the entire North/East by now would not have been vulnerable to constant terror attacks, kidnapping of young girls and other religious and tribal conflicts that has grossly depopulated the region through exodus and pogrom of innocent and defenceless citizens. However, I still believe that our govt is dynamic and has the experts in his disposal to assist in drafting new strategies on how to arrest the tragedy of terrorism in the country. It will be a welcome development if what was in the news about FGs intention to clampdnwn on the insurgents by invoking a more competent and logistic total emergency rule in the affected zone.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 09:07:09 +0000
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