Another View on The Southerner
Saturday, July 5, 2025

Countries all over the world prioritize security. There is certainly no country where security is not of high importance to its government.

Very high sums of money are usually budgetted yearly for security by governments. Security is about the protection of lives and property is about guaranteeing a safer and secured environment. That, perhaps, captures the basic definition of security.

Countries or groups consider security as premium because of its value. Most countries with advanced security have a high influx of investors eager to put their money in such places. Every investor appreciates security of his business and finances.

Any government that cannot create a safe and secure environment risks losing investors to other secured communities, states or countries.

In every organized society, security is of essence. There is always the presence of security to protect the people from criminal elements and other harms. No matter how civilized a country may be, there will always be the presence of criminals but, the State, through its security agencies organises to checkmate hoodlums.

No society, no matter how sophisticated can exist without security. Every government through its security agencies is mandated to take up the full responsibility of the protection of lives and property.

In some advanced countries of the world, their security agencies are proactive in the areas of detection, prevention and protection. They don’t just wait for the criminals to strike before arresting, prosecuting and sentencing them.

Some countries have upped their security methods in order to be ahead of these bad ‘boys’ and ‘girls.’ They consider recruitment, training, welfare and gadgets very important.

No doubt, the world has gone scientific hence the need for security agencies to consider seriously fighting crime with hi-tech.

At the moment, Nigeria is under siege from bandits, terrorists, insurgents, kidnappers, armed herdsmen, armed robbers, cattle rustlers, vandals, touts, violent cultists, ritualists, and the rest. As far as security is concerned, Nigeria and the Nigerian peoples are daily attacked and slaughtered by these groups.

There is virtually no week mass burials are not conducted in Nigeria. Human lives mean nothing anymore. We have become animals in human skin that can be butchered with no consequences.

The security agencies, including the military appear completely overwhelmed and defeated. They have lost the battle if you ask me.

Recently, there was a well orchestrated and deliberate massacre of the people of Yelwata in Benue state. Babies, children, unborn children, women, pregnant mothers, the elderly, etc. were killed and burnt. Some escaped with high degree of injuries.

Several homes and property were set ablaze. In all these, no security agency showed up to chase the killing squad away. The evil men took their time to wreck their havock. Yet, we have different agencies of security in and around Benue State. But they failed the people at that critical moment.

This is a pointer to the fact that, no place in Nigeria is safe unless the people of the various communities take their destiny into their own hands as it is being advocated and reported in some quarters.

Communities in Nigeria must rise up to the challenge. Whether the Constitution of the Federal Republic allows it or not, self defence is a human right. An Igbo adage says, it’s only the tree that refuses to move knowing the cutlass is approaching.

The South East of Ala Igbo was a safe and secured haven until the civil war of 1967 – 1970 was fought. It was after the war that Ala Igbo started witnessing criminality. The disappearances of private property, farm produce, house breaking, stealing, abduction, rape, etc. became new realities.

All these manifested in the South East region immediately after the civil war. Ala Igbo used to be very safe and secure that, hardly would anyone complain of losing his property or goods until the war came and corrupted our core values.

No visitor or group can go to any Igbo community to foment trouble and go scot free. Communities provided their own security in consonance with their traditional system, belief and custom.

In Abia State, immediately assuming power on May 29, 2023, Gov. Alex Otti moved swiftly to establish the state security outfit called ‘Operation Crush.’

Gov. Otti considered security as priority in development. The governor learnt early that, there cannot be appreciation of his good works without the protection of the lives and property of the citizens.

Governments everywhere work for the living. And, it is only the living that will appreciate the good works of the government. In his early days in office, Gov. Otti paid visit to Lokpanta, a once dreaded community, assured both indigenes and visitors within the area of their protection. He told troublemakers that, it was not going to be business as usual.

However, the Abia State Government and citizens cannot go to sleep with two eyes closed. We are in precarious times and must be eternally vigilant.

Bearing in mind the recent attacks and massacres in Benue, Plateau, Edo, and other parts of the country, it is indeed enough for South East states to be at alert.

So far, so good. The Abia State Government has been on top of the situation. Yet, we must not relax our guard. Personally, I have witnessed the roaming of cows in Umuahia by Fulani herders. It is completely wrong and should not be tolerated.

One annoying incident happened few weeks back at Mission Hill, opposite Villaroy Hotel, Umuahia. More than 20 cows took over a part of the road, disrupting vehicular and human movement.

Again, almost weekly along Aba road, Umuahia, these herders march their cows freely on the road hampering the free flow of traffic. These animals mess up the roads, frustrating the efforts of the women who sweep the roads every morning. Nobody or agency is doing anything to arrest the ugly situation.

It is germane to call owners of these animals to order. Visitors are welcomed, but at the same time, they must have respect for the indigines.

If there is no law in place yet to restrict these animals then, the state government needs to act urgently to come up with one to stop open grazing. Open grazing promotes open and bloody clashes. It is against civility and unacceptable to modernity.

If anti-grazing law is in place, let the Government of Gov. Alex Otti enforce it to the letter. Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose did it and the heavens didn’t fall. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.

Let us remember the actions of Col. Nwosu, the then Military Administrator of Abia State who took it upon himself to restore sanity and decency in and around Umuahia. We cannot afford to go back.

Abia citizens need a secured state. That citizens of Abia can open their shops, markets and businesses on Mondays and, ignore any directive from an amorphous group declaring stay-at-home. That would be when the people can attest that Gov. Otti is indeed serious in providing security for Abia residents.

There is no doubt, that the Governor has invested huge sums to secure Abia and, it is yielding positive fruits.vitbis not for nothing that Abia is rated the safest state amongst the five states of the South East region.

That Abia is safe and secure has attracted higher population of Nigerians and our Igbo brothers and sisters from other states. It is a statement of fact. This, no doubt, is an economic advantage for the state.

The State Government needs to build on its recorded security successes so far. The Office of the Commissioner in Charge of the Local Government and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security must regularly be in touch with the LGA Chairmen, Traditional rulers and Vigilante heads on regular basis, planning, sensitizing, monitoring and mobilizing forces to secure our communities.

Abia State Government needs to support the Forest Guard initiative of the FG. This initiative would allow the States to be in full control of their forests. Abia can immediately create its own Forest Guards.

For instance, Lagos State Government has what they call Neighbourhood Watch. This security group is empowered to monitor and gather information from the communities and report to the appropriate authorities.

Some youths in the State can be recruited, trained and equipped with light weapons and modern gadgets to monitor our forests. It’s evident, security cannot be left in the hands of the Federal Government alone.

We are in an emergency era, living in very precarious times. Our borders with neighbouring states need the presence of monitors.

We need the presence of human and technological monitors at the border towns to keep watch of suspicious movements of goods and persons.
Benue state shares boundary with the South East. And, as such, we must be proactive in our security approach so as to curtail marauders from that end.