Security Consciousness in Nigeria Today

 By Magdalene Michael

 Every year, thousands of Nigerians end in unwanted internally displaced shelters. If the situation is not caused by the recurring spate of unfortunate killings in the Northern parts of Nigeria, it may be due to a clash between cult groups or by some agitators. 

 

The emergence of ” Boko Haram” sect which means western education is bad has gone beyond the educational philosophy, another issue is kidnappings of innocent residents of Nigeria, among the list is the havoc some Fulani herds men are causing, religious intolerance which is dominant in the North exist, others are the increased level of crimes and criminality, rape, and political crises, alongside the attacks carried out by Fulani Herdsmen on some communities in the North and South have been another major insecurity challenge facing the country. 

High profile Kidnapping was more pronounced in the Niger-Delta region until late President Musa Yar’Adua extended amnesty compensation to the militants while the south east part of Nigeria was also experiencing kidnappings but now kidnapping exist in almost every stratum in Nigeria. 

The worst is the security unrest at a frightening level where the Hausa and Fulani herdsmen now sacking some middle Belt and Isoko communities from their farmlands through sophiscated arms and ammunition, while many farmers have been unjustly killed by these desperate cattle rearers who want to take possession of their farmlands by force.

Another one was the August 3^rd public notice by the Islamic State (IS) militant group on its West African affiliate Boko Haram new leader. Now a lot of Nigerians hope for a secured country is not secured and they look up to government to do the needful. 

It is the constitutional responsibility of Government to protect her citizens and property but in Nigeria the reverse is now the case. This view tallies with Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; and the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”

Despite governments frantic efforts to tackle these challenges posed by terrorism and insecurity in the country and put an end to it but the rate of insecurity is still alarming. No wonder, the fear by some Nigerians or residents of living in the Northern part of Nigeria have made many Nigerians whom have established businesses relocate back to their states of origin and made them to be more security conscious.

Meanwhile, The ruthless killings has affected the way Nigerians accept and accommodate their fellow countrymen by extension making everybody to be vigilant and be on a look out.

 The new conception of security is rooted firmly in the ideal of freedom and the right of the people to basic fundamental rights. In as much as security operatives are mandated to protect the citizens from criminals and fight terrorists, the citizens too have roles to play in assisting law enforcement agencies by being security conscious.

With the current security situation in the country, security consciousness is not limited to only North Eastern states but every state of the federation. Security consciousness is not aimed at sending panic to the spines of populace but simply ginger everyone to be alert at all times by reporting every suspicious move or persons to the law enforcement agencies, as the saying goes a stich in time saves nine.