FG must name, prosecute patrons of terrorism, economy saboteurs quickly
Nigeria, no doubt, is enmeshed with myriads of problems. Of the plethora of challenges, insecurity and the wobbling economy have had networks of deficiencies which have made socio-economic conditions lamentable for many Nigerians who are groping with the scourge of gripping harsh situations.
The subject of tackling these challenges have drawn deep concerns, particularly as the examination of the cause and effect relations of the problems have continued to generate controversial reactions with mind boggling perspectives.
Addressing the challenges of insecurity and the economy have recurrently taken records of assertion that the sabotage of the economy and the storm of insecurity are not without deliberate and sponsored misgivings of certain actors who after their own selfish interest at the detriment of the nation.
Over time, there have been reports of individuals who investigations, both by international and local authorities, have revealed to be involved as patrons sponsoring insecurity and terrorism in the Country. Some of these actors have been noted to be highly placed persons in Nigeria. However, the prosecution of these persons have remained a subject dwelling in ambivalence without any clear cut determination of shaming such acts.
Same has been noted of sabotage in the economy space. There are also individuals who have been identified to be occupying highly placed positions in the Country, even public offices, who have been noted to be patrons of troubling illegal activities causing sabotage to the economy.
For instance, in the solid minerals sector, the activities of illegal miners have continued to take toll of depriving the Nigerian state of legitimate accruals from the sector. However, while intelligent reports have shown some highly placed personalities are patrons behind illegal mining activities, the subject of their prosecution continues to evade reality.
Recently, the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, blamed unnamed ‘powerful Nigerians’ for the illegal mining activities and acts of terrorism going on in different parts of the country. Alake made the allegation when he led a delegation of top officials of the ministry to defend the 2024 budget estimates before the House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
He asserted that while banditry might have a foreign component, the major sponsors were Nigerians yet to be identified. “Those powerful people behind them (illegal miners) are Nigerians; we are identifying them with both kinetic and non-kinetic means. The insecurity in the mining areas is sponsored by illegal mines and these are powerful individuals in the society who are Nigerians,” Alake had said.
Given the damages which such acts have continued to pose on the Nigerian State, it is evident that such patrons are saboteurs of the State and the extent of the negative impacts of their illegal activities place them as enemies of the nation. Their activities have largely shown them to be contributory largely to the scourge of hardship Nigerians are made to pass through.
Hence, it is paramount that actions must be taken concertedly to bring an end to the impunity which have taken gross grip on the nation. The appropriate authorities must no longer keep mute from making public such highly placed individuals who have become enemies of the State.
Their names should be made public upon verified intelligence, while appropriate prosecution should be instituted against them. This is crucial to save the day and bring an end to the faceless acts of selfish determinism against the interest of the masses.
