The general insecurity in the country has been heightened by the reported plans by terrorists to attack Lagos, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna and Kogi states and some parts of the Federal Capital Territory. Consequently, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has urged its state commands to be on full alert.
In a leaked memo dated July 25 and signed by the Deputy Commandant General (DCG), Operations, Dauda Mungadi, which was addressed to all state commands of the Corps, the NCSDC said: “We have received credible intelligence that Boko-Haram and the ISWAP terrorist groups have mobilised fighters and high calibre weapons, particularly Rocket Propelled Grenades, RPG, launchers, Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns and General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGS), which they intend to deploy for the offensive in Katsina and other states.
Following the intelligence reports, the NSCDC has placed its state commands on alert. This came on the heels of the July 24, incident in which terrorists ambushed the troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 176 Battalion of Brigade of Guards, Abuja, who were on patrols in Bwari area Abuja, following intelligence reports that the Nigeria Law School, Bwari, might be attacked. An Army Captain, a Lieutenant and some soldiers were killed in the ambush.
The attack on some members of the Brigade of Guards came less than three weeks after the advance security team of the President was ambushed in Dutsinma area of Katsina State. It was also the same day that the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, was attacked by terrorists and freed over 64 Boko Haram commanders and other criminals. This is happening at a time the terrorists have threatened to abduct President Muhammadu Buhari, Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai and other politicians.
The plans to attack Lagos and other states across the country should not be ignored. The security agents must rise up to the challenge and nip such attacks in the bud. There is no doubt that the nation’s insecurity is on the increase. Unfortunately, the Federal Government has not adequately responded to the deteriorating situation. It is apparent that the government is still treating the terrorist with kid gloves. The threats by terrorists are real and must not be treated with levity. They should also not be waved aside or be regarded as laughable matters. Sadly, the terrorists always hit their targets with precision and without adequate response from our security agents. Nigerians have had enough of these embarrassing attacks. Let the security agencies rise up to the situation and take the war to the doorsteps of the criminals. The attack on the Brigade of Guards is worrisome, given that it is an elite corps of the military that ensures the security of the President. The reported threats to attack some states in the country will amount to the insurgents taking their menace too far. Hitting Lagos and Abuja by terrorists will have dire consequences for the unity of the country.
This is the time for the government to act before the country becomes a failed state. The primary duty of government is the security and welfare of the people. The Federal Government must not fail in securing the country and its citizens. On no account should this responsibility be abdicated to non-state actors under any guise. Let the security agents invigorate the war against terrorists and other criminals. There is need to adequately equip the security agencies to enable them win the war against the criminals.
Whatever the government is doing to contain the terrorists is not good enough. It must come up with new strategies to win the war. Interestingly, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to leave the country more secure than he met it. The president should go ahead and do so before the criminals launch more deadly attacks as reported.
Since the terrorists are becoming more emboldened, the government should deal with them ruthlessly. The insinuation in some quarters that the terrorists are more equipped than our security agents is unacceptable. Apart from giving the troops the required arms and ammunition, there is need for enhanced intelligence gathering and sharing among the security agencies. The terrorists must not be allowed to have their way this time around.
