INSECURITY AND THE DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

For the past three or four years, the existence of this great nation has been threatened to its very foundation. The reason for this is not far-fetched, the activities of the dreaded sect Boko Haram and other militant groups has made life rather, difficult for Nigeria and Nigerians. These groups prowled and had a field time maiming and killing people with reckless abandonment. While we shivered in fear and visibly relied on God for an end to this, the group grew stronger and expanded its attack. In the face of all these, government remained visibly unfazed and clueless. The ineptitude on the part on government, fired the courage of the groups to so great an extent that, the fifty years celebration of our nationhood was disrupted by the sect; they did not stop at that, the United Nations building in Abuja was also bombed and so many other bombings and countless number of deaths have been recorded and witnessed in our dear country. One cannot imagine the number of families that are grieving and mourning the loss of their loved ones. It is so saddening that a number of families have lost more than one person to this mayhem that has been unleashed on our country. In the midst of all these killings, government feet dragged in tackling the situation and it was almost accused of supporting the group. People wondered if we actually have a government in place. They hoped and waited to hear the government say something that will comfort and give them hope, but all they could hear was a loud silence; the more the waited the louder the silence got. We all lost hope in the ability of the government to protect the citizens, as the nation descended into further anarchy. All eyes turned to President Goodluck Jonathan, who himself was overwhelmed by the poor security situation like every other Nigerian. This and many other reasons thus, accounted for the enthusiasm that greeted the declaration of a state of emergency by President. I must commend Mr. President for taking at least the initiative and courage in declaring a state of emergency. This is one step in the right direction that is long over due. Too many people have died and the nation is plunging daily into a citadel of insecurity, and the value for human life has no less been affected. The situation is one that calls for an iron hand and, Mr. President has so done. I must also state here that if we think that the imposition of a state of emergency alone will serve as the magic wand that that will solve our present security challenges, then we must be engaged in self deceit. There is no gain saying that after the declaration of a state of emergency, the military swung into action and has been attempting to destroy and blow up perceived strong holds of the dreaded Boko Haram sect. But is Military action the only option? Less we forget Late President Umaru Yar’Adua tried that option it ended up not been the best tactics in curtailing the problem. The pertinent question to ask at this point is where lies the solution the the Boko Haram menace? While I do not pride myself as someone who knows the solution to the problem, but, I do think as a Nigerian, I am entitled to have an opinion on an any issue, to the extent my mind can reach. Therefore, one of the solutions to the Boko Haram issue is to find, locate and adequately punish the sponsors of this group. No matter how hard we try to solve the present security challenges, as long as we allow the sponsors of these groups to continue to move about freely, then, the solution to our security problem will continue to elude us. The second probable solution to these problems is to create millions of Job spaces that will absorb our teeming population of youths roaming about jobless. It is common knowledge that over thirty million youths are jobless, and the numbers grows by the day. These youths serve as useful and veritable tool in the hands of these enemies of Nigeria who are bent on bringing the nation to its knees. We must device a means of preventing our youths from yielding into the temptation presented by these people. We can achieve this only by creating millions of job spaces to keep the agile youth busy. The third solution is a responsive and accountability of government. The recklessness engaged in, by those saddled with the responsibility of governing the affairs of this country is alarming. The gross inequality between the rich and the poor is so wide that sometimes, one wonders if we are all citizens of the same country. We are a nation where the poor finds it very difficult to eat, while the rich throw lavish parties and engage in a spending spree, much to the chagrin of the poor. Suffice it to state that this can make the youths of any country revolt against a system that has consistently denied them so much in the midst of plenty. Bridging the gap between the rich and the poor will contribute in no small way in re-integrating the people. Where the child of a senator goes to the same school with the child of a farmer, the child of a shoe maker goes to the same school with the child of a governor; there will be a feeling of equality among them and a high sense of belonging. But, what we have today is the opposite. The children of our leaders travel abroad for studies while the commoners send their children to local schools whose standard lay in comatose, beyond redemption. As a country blessed with abundant resources, Nigerians have no business being poor. A situation where the wealth of the nation is concentrated in the hands of a few persons is unacceptable and it is thus one of the things that fire the embers of insecurity. In order to change their circumstances and get back at the system, people may be forced to do certain unimaginable things, capable of breaching public peace. A systematic change in the current status quo is necessary to correct the wrong we have operated on for long. As we pray for our military men to record significant success over the insurgent groups, we must also warn them not to be over excited and cross the line by engaging in reckless killing of innocent people. We must also note that arresting members of this sects and obtaining necessary and useful information from them will contribute in no small way in finding those behind the scene who provide the necessary support and finance for them, and to a large extent, bring an end to our security woes. Killing them may amount to compounding an already bad situation. A quintessential is the killing of Mohammed Yusuf, the founder of the sect; to me that is one of the mistakes that has brought almost all of us to our knees. We must therefore not repeat the same mistake again. God bless Nigeria Frank O. Ijege , frankijege@yahoo.com, 08032093229.

Boko Haram abducts Shettima Mungono, kills LG boss BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri Ninety-two year old elder statesman and first Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, CFR, was yesterday kidnapped in Borno State by suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect shortly after performing the Juma’at Congregational prayers at a Mosque in Mafoni ward in Maiduguri metropolis. Unknown gunmen had earlier on Thursday night, killed the acting Chairman of Dikwa Local Government Area in the state, Alhaji Kachallah Umara in his compound. Mungono’s abduction took place at about 2pm in the area said to be the stronghold of the sect members. Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, also said it was saddened by the news that Alhaji  Monguno has been kidnapped by unknown gun men in Maiduguri, adding that ‘’he is not expected to be subjected to such hardship and humiliation by any group, be it sectarian or men of the underworld.’’ A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Mr Anthony Sani stressed that ‘’if, as is being bandied about, Boko Haram members are the kidnappers in order to press for the release of their detained members by the authorities, then, they are going about it the wrong way,’’ and asked ‘’the good people of Borno state to keep calm and not take the laws into their hands as the federal and state governments go as far as efforts can go in order to bring to an end, the culture of violence under control not only in Borno and Yobe States but through out Nigeria.’’ The Special Adviser on Communications to Governor Kashim Shettima, Alhaji Isa Umar Gusau confirmed the incident. Mungono,  had been a strong agitator for the withdrawal of JTF troops from Borno and at the forefront of those asking the Federal Government to grant amnesty to the Boko Haram sect. As the Chairman of Borno Elders Forum, several meetings were held in his GRA compound on the security challenges affecting the state and the north in general. The JTF Spokesman, Lt Col Sagir Musa confirmed the abduction saying, “yes we received an information that Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno was kidnapped today (yesterday) by gunmen soon after performing his Friday prayers at a mosque in Mafoni. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain the true situation.” An eye witness also told Saturday Vanguard in Maiduguri that, “we just performed our Juma’at prayers. I was standing in front of the mosque when Dr. Monguno was exchanging pleasantries with people, and the next thing was that, four gunmen; three with Ak47 rifles and the other with a pistol ambushed the elder statesman, fired several shots to scare the crowd before they bundled him inside their vehicle and took him to unknown destination.” Already, Governor Shettima has summoned all Borno State elders to an emergency meeting at the elder statesman’s GRA residence to discuss possible ways of rescuing him from his kidnappers, who are yet to declare their intentions for abducting him. Last week, the Spokesman of the Military Joint Task Force, JTF, Lt Col. Sagir Musa in a statement  in Maiduguri warned residents particularly politicians, civil servants and traditional rulers among others important personalities to be wary of their safety as, according to him, the Boko Haram sect members had concluded plans to engage more in kidnapping prominent members of the society. Sagir said, “Intelligence available to the Task Force has indicated that Boko Haram terrorists have resolved to concentrate more on kidnappings than robbery. They alleged that kidnapping is more lucrative, less dangerous and requires short time to plan and execute. ”Similarly, a special kidnapping squad has been earmarked and tasked by Boko Haram sect to kidnap persons who could be wealthy relation, politician, businessman/woman, traditional ruler, senior civil servants and foreigners alike.” Earlier at about 7pm on Thursday, some unidentified gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents had shot dead,  the acting Care-taker Chairman and Secretary of Dikwa Local Government Area, Alhaji Umara, near the Gomari Airport, leaving others present to scamper for their safety. Umara, it was learnt, was killed by four suspected Boko Haram members who arrived his compound in an unmarked Volkswagen Golf saloon car, soon after he had completed his magrib prayers at a mosque close to his family house. He was reportedly about entering his house when his assailants opened fire on him at close range, before escaping. Governor Shettima had last week dissolved all the local government caretaker committees in the 27 local government councils in the state, following the expiration of their six months tenure. The deceased was thereafter, appointed as acting chairman of Dikwa. Gomari is one of the peaceful wards in Jere, near Maiduguri metropolis. The area had not witnessed any killings in the the past five months. However, in December last year, some suspected terrorists slaughtered six people including a village head, two policemen and three other civilians in their residents. When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Yuguda Abdullahi told newsmen on the telephone that he was not in Maiduguri and declined further comments on the incident. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Gideon Jubrin’s cell phones were also switched off as at the time of going to press. However, an aide to Governor Shettima who spoke to Saturday Vanguard on the condition of anonymity said, “if Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno can be abducted by terrorists, it means the security situation in the state has gone beyond what human beings can imagine.” Meanwhile, security operatives have cordoned off all the major streets in Maiduguri in a bid to apprehend the culprits. When Saturday Vanguard visited the family house of Dr. Monguno at Lagos Street, GRA, about 40metres away from the Government House Maiduguri, scores of sympathisers and relatives were seen  trying to gain entry into the compound, but were barred from entering by the eagle eyed security operatives deployed to the area

Boko Haram abducts Shettima Mungono, kills LG boss BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri Ninety-two year old elder statesman and first Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, CFR, was yesterday kidnapped in Borno State by suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect shortly after performing the Juma’at Congregational prayers at a Mosque in Mafoni ward in Maiduguri metropolis. Unknown gunmen had earlier on Thursday night, killed the acting Chairman of Dikwa Local Government Area in the state, Alhaji Kachallah Umara in his compound. Mungono’s abduction took place at about 2pm in the area said to be the stronghold of the sect members. Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, also said it was saddened by the news that Alhaji  Monguno has been kidnapped by unknown gun men in Maiduguri, adding that ‘’he is not expected to be subjected to such hardship and humiliation by any group, be it sectarian or men of the underworld.’’ A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Mr Anthony Sani stressed that ‘’if, as is being bandied about, Boko Haram members are the kidnappers in order to press for the release of their detained members by the authorities, then, they are going about it the wrong way,’’ and asked ‘’the good people of Borno state to keep calm and not take the laws into their hands as the federal and state governments go as far as efforts can go in order to bring to an end, the culture of violence under control not only in Borno and Yobe States but through out Nigeria.’’ The Special Adviser on Communications to Governor Kashim Shettima, Alhaji Isa Umar Gusau confirmed the incident. Mungono,  had been a strong agitator for the withdrawal of JTF troops from Borno and at the forefront of those asking the Federal Government to grant amnesty to the Boko Haram sect. As the Chairman of Borno Elders Forum, several meetings were held in his GRA compound on the security challenges affecting the state and the north in general. The JTF Spokesman, Lt Col Sagir Musa confirmed the abduction saying, “yes we received an information that Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno was kidnapped today (yesterday) by gunmen soon after performing his Friday prayers at a mosque in Mafoni. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain the true situation.” An eye witness also told Saturday Vanguard in Maiduguri that, “we just performed our Juma’at prayers. I was standing in front of the mosque when Dr. Monguno was exchanging pleasantries with people, and the next thing was that, four gunmen; three with Ak47 rifles and the other with a pistol ambushed the elder statesman, fired several shots to scare the crowd before they bundled him inside their vehicle and took him to unknown destination.” Already, Governor Shettima has summoned all Borno State elders to an emergency meeting at the elder statesman’s GRA residence to discuss possible ways of rescuing him from his kidnappers, who are yet to declare their intentions for abducting him. Last week, the Spokesman of the Military Joint Task Force, JTF, Lt Col. Sagir Musa in a statement  in Maiduguri warned residents particularly politicians, civil servants and traditional rulers among others important personalities to be wary of their safety as, according to him, the Boko Haram sect members had concluded plans to engage more in kidnapping prominent members of the society. Sagir said, “Intelligence available to the Task Force has indicated that Boko Haram terrorists have resolved to concentrate more on kidnappings than robbery. They alleged that kidnapping is more lucrative, less dangerous and requires short time to plan and execute. ”Similarly, a special kidnapping squad has been earmarked and tasked by Boko Haram sect to kidnap persons who could be wealthy relation, politician, businessman/woman, traditional ruler, senior civil servants and foreigners alike.” Earlier at about 7pm on Thursday, some unidentified gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents had shot dead,  the acting Care-taker Chairman and Secretary of Dikwa Local Government Area, Alhaji Umara, near the Gomari Airport, leaving others present to scamper for their safety. Umara, it was learnt, was killed by four suspected Boko Haram members who arrived his compound in an unmarked Volkswagen Golf saloon car, soon after he had completed his magrib prayers at a mosque close to his family house. He was reportedly about entering his house when his assailants opened fire on him at close range, before escaping. Governor Shettima had last week dissolved all the local government caretaker committees in the 27 local government councils in the state, following the expiration of their six months tenure. The deceased was thereafter, appointed as acting chairman of Dikwa. Gomari is one of the peaceful wards in Jere, near Maiduguri metropolis. The area had not witnessed any killings in the the past five months. However, in December last year, some suspected terrorists slaughtered six people including a village head, two policemen and three other civilians in their residents. When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Yuguda Abdullahi told newsmen on the telephone that he was not in Maiduguri and declined further comments on the incident. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Gideon Jubrin’s cell phones were also switched off as at the time of going to press. However, an aide to Governor Shettima who spoke to Saturday Vanguard on the condition of anonymity said, “if Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno can be abducted by terrorists, it means the security situation in the state has gone beyond what human beings can imagine.” Meanwhile, security operatives have cordoned off all the major streets in Maiduguri in a bid to apprehend the culprits. When Saturday Vanguard visited the family house of Dr. Monguno at Lagos Street, GRA, about 40metres away from the Government House Maiduguri, scores of sympathisers and relatives were seen  trying to gain entry into the compound, but were barred from entering by the eagle eyed security operatives deployed to the area