State-of-the-nation: Employing conflict management techniques to quell the drumbeat of ethnic face-off
Security concerns in Nigeria have recently plunged the Country into a web of controversies. The sensitivity of security to any society is indisputably sacrosanct. This reality finds expression in the outcries and worries that continue to roll out from all fabrics of the society over the threat of insecurity in the Country. It is well known that no form of human endeavour can successfully thrive under an intense atmosphere of insecurity. The associated sensations of fear and panic that accompany a state of anarchy are a wave of troubles that scuttle both social and economic activities, as well as, political operations.
It well known that the Nigerian polity has recently been caught in the web of heat since the security situation in the Country has continued to grow worse in recent times. The pressure on the Government to address the disarray of conditions posed by various brands of security threats, has more or less positioned the Government at a seemingly helpless situation. While the controversial circumstances surrounding many of the subject matter appear to be critical, the slow response of the Federal Government solely in charge of security in the Country, positions it at a view point where it is perceived as having its hands tied and handicapped.
Several flags of security threats are now being brandished from different quarters from time to time in very close succession. Most recently, the drumbeat of the possibilities of ethnic/tribal clashes have been a subject of worries particularly with eviction campaign brewing from aggrieved communities across the Country, the South in particular, against Fulani Herdsmen. It is popularly known that the row has anchored more on the escapades of some cruel elements among nomadic herders whose conducts have been found inhumane and flagrantly illicit. The threats which have aroused by the phenomenon are now heating up the polity.
It is glaring that the apparent ineptitude and irresponsive posture of the Government to proactively address issues of security threats through proper conflict management strategies, has degenerated into unsavoury situations for the Country. The lacuna is manifestly being seized by some citizens to take the course of security into their own hands. While such move may be seen to be uncivil, it is lamentable that the inability of the Government to proactively address such threats has left the gap open for those who think they have to take responsibility of protecting themselves into their hands, if the Government cannot arrest the situation. It is indisputable that one primary purpose of the Government in any organised society, is the necessity to optimally safeguard lives and properties. Without such, human society bears the risk of returning to the primitive stage of human coexistence where life is in disarray with the resonance of the “survival of the fittest” imagery. Some States Governor had in reactions that bears resonating insight to this, commenced the call on the need for the Federal Government to license every citizen to own arms to defend themselves in the face of rising security threats.
As the threats of attack from nomadic herders continue to generate grievances across the Country, stakeholders in worst-hit parts of the Country, have begun to take critical whip against the Presidency. Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, had in a whipping briefing in Makurdi on Wednesday castigated the Federal Government on what he described as a “biased and unfair” posture to address security matters in the Country. He was quoted: “The federal government and the presidency must act fast because we are running out of time. From North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-East, South-West and South-South, there is general insecurity and this is being propelled by armed herdsmen. Not until these people are arrested we will not know peace. When I talked I was castigated and vilified. But the reality is here. It is not only in Benue state today, but it is happening to the entire Country. I want to repeat again, I have made a petition to the presidency and to all security agencies before that if they want peace in Nigeria the leadership of Miyetti Allah must be arrested. These are people who have owned up. They have taken responsibility that they have killed, maimed, raped and also carried out all sorts of atrocities; yet their leadership is in Abuja and nobody is confronting them. Why is the Federal Government silent about this Fulani people? When will the Federal Government come out to criticize and arrest herdsmen carrying AK47? And so the Federal Government must act fast. At a point in time, the Federal Government came out with a policy through the police that even those with licenced guns should surrender them to the police. My question is, how many times have the presidency come out to condemn Fulani herders that carry AK47 all over the place? The Federal Government is biased and unfair. The failure of our security is caused by the Federal Government. They asked for the arrest of a Yoruba activist (Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho) who stood up for his people but nobody is arresting the killer herdsmen. You outlawed IPOB for doing nothing but armed herders rated the fourth deadliest terrorist group by global terrorist index is enjoying the protection of the Federal Government. That is not justice. In fact the Federal Government comes out to defend them when you have issues with them but when they unleash mayhem on the people the Federal Government keeps quiet. I heard of the statement issued by the presidency when the governor of Ondo issued an ultimatum to herders. In fact the presidency came out swiftly to issue a statement but when armed herders kill our people in Benue and other parts of the Country, we never hear that kind of swift reaction. It is unacceptable.”
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) for another time in a close succession raised a flag of warning on Wednesday against plans by some persons and groups it claims are exploiting some fault lines to cause ethno-religious violence in some parts of the Country. In a Statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Dr Peter Afunanya, the DSS listed Lagos, Oyo, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Plateau and States in the South East as areas being targeted. It would be recalled that the DSS had earlier this yearyear, on January 11, issued an alert of plans by some elements working with external forces to incite religious violence across the Country. The red alert had also listed the aforementioned states as the spots of targets. In its Wednesday’s alert, the Service said the plan was to cause inter-religious conflicts by the plotters who would use their foot soldiers to attack some worship centres, religious leaders, personalities, as well as key and vulnerable points. According to the Service, the latest developments on the alert indicated desperate efforts by these groups to subvert public order. The Service claimed that those behind the plot have continued to resort to inciting unguarded and divisive statements, plotting also to pit citizens against one another to apparently inflame the embers of tribal and religious discords.
“For the umpteenth time, the Service strongly warns these elements to desist forthwith from their (planned) nefarious acts or face the full wrath of the law. The DSS will, in collaboration with other security and law enforcement agencies take necessary steps to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizenry,” the statement further warned.
The flag of the DSS didn’t however go without generating reactions. Among concerned stakeholders to quickly respond to the alarm was the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which further warned the Federal Government, particularly law enforcement agencies to guard against what was described as “politicisation of security issues.” According to the Body, such acts could undermine the safety of lives and properties. In a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the CAN President, Pastor Bayo Oladeji, CAN had reacted thus: “Whenever the DSS raises any alarm over the security of the country, ordinarily, one should take them seriously because of the fact that their primary responsibility includes but not limited to intelligence gathering. We recall that the agency raised similar alarm recently. But how many suspects have been arrested, detained and arraigned over the last ones? All the killings in the country have been happening without bringing those responsible to book. Are they not aware? People are being kidnapped on the highways and in their residences without any arrest. We wonder why? Those shedding the innocent blood and those involved in the crime of kidnapping for ransom are they spirits? The Christian Association of Nigeria calls on those responsible for the security of lives and property of the people to wake up to their constitutional responsibilities. The least that is expected of any responsible government is the protection of lives and property of the citizens which our governments have not been able to do. Sometimes, some suspects will be paraded but their prosecutions remain unknown. This doesn’t speak well of us as a nation. Terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals are not invincible and until they are being apprehended and successfully prosecuted, people will no longer have respect for those in charge of the security. Imagine the ongoing controversy trailing the tenure of the Inspector General of Police. Is that good for the country when we all know the aftermath of prolonging the tenure of the immediate past Service Chiefs? Our government should stop politicising our security. It is high time the media stood up and asked our governments serious questions through front page comments and editorial.”
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, had in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ibrahim Aselemi, reacted thus: “The leadership of the NSCIA is worried about the security alert issued by the DSS, National Headquarters Abuja, made available by its PRO, Dr. Peter Afunanya. We, hereby, call on the security agencies, especially the DSS to fish out these enemies of the state and prosecute them This is because it is only when criminal elements are punished that we can effectively give potency to deterrence. We call on Nigerians to help the security agencies with credible information on criminals and their hideouts. We cannot leave security matters to security agencies alone. If you see something, say something.”
The prevailing State-of-the-Nation calls for deep thought. The resort of citizens to defend themselves amidst panic over security threats is practically a slam against the Government. It is high time the constituted authority took decisive steps towards addressing pressing matters of concern before they degenerate into uncontrollable strings, posing circumstances of disorder in the society. The need for the Government to look into every threat regardless of how insubstantial they look, with forceful approach is paramount. The docility of the Government to practically address the nomadic herders phenomenon with the proper enforcement and conflict management strategies with the required alacrity, has pushed the Country into a situation where it is sitting on a time bomb of unrest. The lingering menace which has been ignored to last beyond reasonable stage is now gradually pitching the Country towards the drumbeat of ethnic face-off.
It is instructive for the Government to exhibit proactiveness in the necessity to vibrantly address the State-of-the-Nation with sincerity and forceful approach that is demanded and required of a meaningful government. The prevailing circumstances posed before the Government demand strategic move with multi-faceted mechanisms which gives bearing to the techniques of conflict management to salvage the Country from the threat of explosion. The facing-out of signals of belligerent drumbeats and clouds of grievances are omens of catastrophe that should not be toyed with. While the present circumstances are still within manageable lines, onus lies on the Government not to remain more silent till situation degenerates into uncontrollable state of anarchy.
