FORMER Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and members of Africa Diasporal Initiatives (ADI) have expressed shock and dismay on the level of insecurity in Nigeria, while condemning the killings of policemen and other security operatives by unpatriotic elements in the country.
Atiku, who spoke in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna Friday, said: "To tell the truth, all through my lifetime in Nigeria, I have never witnessed such a deteriorating state of security that has reached what is happening now. It has surpassed even what happened when we fought the Nigerian civil war."
The Executive Director of ADI, Mr. David Okoror also reacted to the latest attacks on the Police and other security agents by youths in Nasarawa State, and the killings in Bama and Baga communities in Borno State, saying "the signs are that President Goodluck Jonathan's administration has lost control as the situation gradually degenerates on a daily basis in the country, and unless the government acts fast, it may be overwhelmed."
The former Vice President, who lamented the level insecurity in Nigeria and the way and manner the Government was handling it, hinged the complex situation of insurgency confronting the country on two premises.
He said: "But there are reasons to that. Firstly, our governments could not pay attention to the issue of security; secondly, issues of security presently differed from what obtained in the past.
"Before, we had different categories of security agents; we had those at the federal level, at the state level and those at the local government level. But within the past few years, you know, this arrangement was collapsed into one. But the kind of sophistication that is emerging, unless those who understand it are engaged, it would be difficult to resolve all these problems about insecurity. That is number one.
"Secondly, they are unable to pay attention, especially in releasing money on security and training of security agents and purchase security gadgets for the agents to use in the protection of human life and property."
Atiku argued: "This money is stolen, in fact, they steal this money...If not why are we not seeing improvements. We don't see the security agents today with the gadgets that are necessary for them to work; we don't see that. In Nigeria, the only thing you see a security agent holding is not more than a gun. A gun is not the only thing a security agent should have, there are many other gadgets".
Okoror frowned at the leadership style of President Jonathan in resolving the crisis that has enveloped the nation.
He said: "Over the past 72 hours, Nigeria has lost about 140 law enforcement agents to various groups, cultists, militias and terrorists. These figures include the Army, Police, SSS and Prisons officers. This type of thing does not happen in other countries. The power of any nation and its ability to ensure cohesion lies on the confidence reposed on the security sector. The duty of government is to ensure law and order, security of lives and properties.
"Now, except something is done to save the situation that we found ourselves today, the nation is gradually drifting into a failed state. The leaders we have in the country today are like drunken sailors who do not know that their ship is sinking. Nigeria is in a big mess."
The Guardian