One Celebration Too Early

Recently, 24 hours after the Presidency rolled out the drums in celebration of the perceived successes of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, in his war against terrorism and banditry in the last 25 months, terrorists struck in a Katsina Mosque. They took away the lives of 13 worshippers.

The incident occurred as the faithful were engaged in their morning prayers. As usual, the security agencies, always reactive to matters that affect people’s lives, mobilised additional forces to the crime scene.

The Presidency’s assessment of Ribadu’s performance claimed that, in the last 25 months, he had brought about a turning point in the country’s fight against terrorism, banditry, and other security threats.

The assessment chronicled the dire situation inherited by the government from its predecessors and said that Ribadu had overhauled the security architecture, prioritising inter-agency cooperation and intelligence-led operations. He had fostered synergy among security and intelligence agencies while leveraging his international contacts to strengthen Nigeria’s intelligence capacity.

We are persuaded to admit that the NSA has recorded some milestones within the period under review. We are also convinced that Ribadu, as NSA, is doing his utmost to encourage Nigerians to sleep with their two eyes closed. It will be fair to admit that his best effort is yielding the anticipated results. To this extent, therefore, we are compelled to appreciate his effectiveness in this direction given the enormity of the challenges he inherited.

However, incidents like the Yelwata massacre and what happened in Katsina recently paint the picture that suggests that the celebration is a bit too early, even with the recent arrests of some key terrorism masterminds.

Our concern as a newspaper is that this type of contrived ululation tends to lull the system into complacency, as was the case during the immediate past administration. For eight years, Nigerians were held hostage by non-state actors who seemed to have overwhelmed the country’s security architecture, a situation that led to demands for an overhaul. Nigerians called for action, not just seemingly unhelpful rhetoric, as life perched on a cliffhanger.

During that period, the high command of security agencies bandied about some phrases designed to reassure the people that everything was working in the desired direction, even as terrorists and other criminal elements were, literally, overrunning the country. Nigerians were inundated with claims that Boko Haram has been degraded or decapitated as citizens of the North East were scampering in fright into Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs).

Ordinary travel to destinations in and around the country became arduous tasks requiring divine intervention as travellers had their hearts in their mouths. Kidnappers and their cohorts gave Nigerians nightmares that still persist.

For the record, Nuhu Ribadu came into office riding on the crest of his accomplishments as an anti-corruption czar, having served as the pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He came from the Police Force, where he retired as an Assistant Inspector General.

In fairness to the authorities, there is no denying that the security agencies have strived to neutralise banditry and terror attacks in places like Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Sokoto. But the facts on the ground indicate that it is not yet Uhuru. The insecurity inflicted on Nigerians is potent and requires enhanced operational strategic thinking and measured execution.

The Office of the NSA could be likened to a Command Centre where all the brainwork is carried out. Field operations are not part of his turf. He still needs some leg men to do things for him and the system. The just-released assessment may not be what is needed now as, in our opinion, Nigerians want the services to redouble their efforts if the peace and tranquillity the nation craves is to be attained.

From this perspective, we appeal to him to use his office to pressure the foot soldiers to be proactive instead of reactive.

In our opinion, it is insensitive to beat one’s chest in self-congratulation when Nigerians are unable to sleep soundly after a hard day’s work for fear of marauders and terrorists. A situation where worshippers carry out their religious obligation with apprehension hanging over them like the sword of Damocles should be a source of concern to those in charge of ensuring security in the land.

One of the successes claimed in that 25-month assessment is intelligence-led operations. What happened in Katsina and Yelwata raised deserved controversy as regards the efficacy of intelligence in security operations.

We assert that the NSA cannot strictly be held accountable on that score, even though he functions as the chief in a command-and-control position.

In the meantime, while we share in the joy of the presidency regarding the success so far recorded in the effort to make Nigeria safe, we aver that there is still a long road to traverse to accomplish that onerous task.