Governments across the 36 States of the Federation of Nigeria are coming under increasing pressure from their citizens to make alternative security arrangements to protect the people. This follows the evident failure of the nation’s military and security services to protect citizens against the worst levels of insecurity, banditry, kidnappings and other serious crimes that this country has ever witnessed. In response, States are banding into regional security arrangements to protect their people. South West States of the country have already established what they call Amotekun, while South East Governors have now met to follow up on their earlier resolution to create a regional security force. Also, Governors of the South South States are in discussions on the matter. Stretching this was a group of northern youths who have announced the creation of what they call Shege Ka Fasa, to protect the Northern States. However, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar and the Northern States Governors’ Forum have dissociated themselves from the said group.
The level of insecurity nationwide has become so frightening that it has become the most discussed issue in the country. It will be recalled that the House of Representatives had in a resolution called for the sack of military chiefs for their incompetence in handling the country’s security. Few days ago, 10 persons were killed in Auno village in Borno State, 18 vehicles destroyed, and several communities razed to the ground by Boko Haram insurgents. Before that, a Catholic seminarian, Michael Nnadi was killed by kidnappers in Kaduna after his other colleagues were freed. Also, in the same Kaduna State, the wife of a medical doctor who was kidnapped with her two children was killed by the kidnappers. It would seem that Nigeria has been overtaken by serious and unrestrained bandits. Sadly, the nation’s leadership appears gripped by unprecedented incompetence in the handling of security matters. The President has ignored several calls to sack the leadership of the military and security agencies. The latest call for the sack of security chiefs is by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. Nigerians are at a loss understanding why the President has ignored these calls, especially as all the military service chiefs have overstayed their tenures.