Chris Hinga, Humanitarian
‘’It is a tough time, no doubt, because before a governor can come out openly and say that terrorists are regrouping in his state, which is close to Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, something must be wrong somewhere.
This is most terrifying. It is very disturbing and must not be taken lightly. This is a serious issue that I appeal to the government to look into. Prompt action must be taken to avert further crisis.
The Federal Government should make sure the boarding schools are secure, because illiteracy is not a virtue. Let our people go to school so that they can be liberated from the shackles of these misguided elements. What is happening now looks like a business.
Kidnap or abduct some people, then ransom is paid and they are freed, then another round will be taken again. So, for how long are we going to continue with it? It is almost becoming a lucrative business that more attackers are going into.
They are abducting our future leaders for their personal gain. The government should take serious action so as to ensure that all our boarding schools are secure from these marauders.
‘’This issue of insecurity is everywhere in Nigeria at the moment. People talk of insecurity without doing the needful. Why do I say so? You will not allow anybody to come and put fire in your house. And, you don’t take precautionary measures to it.
You have to do everything humanly possible to secure your environment. We have so many retired ex-servicemen that could have been deployed to maintain security.
There are lots of police, army and other paramilitary officers that have retired that could have been engaged for all this. It is time to bring them onboard to complement the efforts of the other security agents. There is a need for collaboration on how to maintain security.
There are lots of kidnappings going on along Toto- Nasarawa road. These are areas we have this banditry currently operating, and it is most unfortunate.
There should be a need for the governor to form a formidable vigilante group. The loads on the official security agents are heavy. I will be advised that this vigilante group should be trained and employed to support the security network on ground.
There is too much load on the government. It is time for the communities to wake from their sleep. Let the state governors allow the local government councils to function effectively. It is one big challenge we have been running away from.
There should be security meetings among the North-central states-Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara etc, even in Kaduna and Plateau states. Let them come together and form a network because if they failed to protect their states like we are seeing Abuja might not be safe as the capital. We only hear of Boko Haram in Maiduguri but they are now here with us.
Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP
The governor of Nasarawa State has only said what is obvious before Nigerians, which is that our nation has become endangered. So as a result of that, it is not about what he is saying, but about the solution that the government will provide.
As it stands today, it appears the federal government has lost focus. They don’t know what to do and they have surrendered the sovereignty of Nigeria to bandits. It is not about saying the obvious that the state is gradually being taken over by bandits. It is not only his state.
Can I travel from Abuja here to Kaduna? Can people travel from Katsina to Zamfara? Or Funtua? Is it possible now to move to Abuja to Lokoja without fears? It is not possible.
So, he is stating the obvious. There are questions Nigerians are asking, a man who promised to lead from the front. Is he leading from the front? The answer is no. A few days ago, the federal government said the abduction in Jangebe will be the last.
Two or three days later, you can count the number of people that were kidnapped, abducted or killed. Was this the country that was handed over to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015? The answer is no. I think the basic first step measure for the government to take is to protect schools. And, if you talk about protection of schools the first thing that comes to mind is the issue of state police.
As it is done in advanced democracy where they have state police, county police like in America. So if we allow that and we are able to decentralize the police system, it will be easier for the state government to protect their states, schools and the citizenry.
Solomon Habila Manga, Political analyst
‘’We have said it several times, even from the first time that it happened, that the government should fence all the boarding schools and station armed security agents at the schools for protection. Since these terrorists are using the schools as targets now, what they are supposed to do is to station policemen or military personnel at the schools.
And, they should fence all the schools. Most of the schools in the northern region, especially the boarding schools, are in the thick forests.
So, what they are supposed to do is to form station security agents or armed guards at the schools for the protection and security of these students. Imagine going to the boarding schools. What you will find most times are old men holding a stick that can amount to anything or that cannot even run too far. What will he do when these people come with their arms? Nothing! The Federal Government should take drastic steps immediately.
They should not play politics with the security of lives. They should send troops to the place to disperse them. This is becoming worrisome and unbecoming of a state as the governor whose chief security officer there is complaining.
Atiku Youn, Public affairs commentator
‘’The government should wake up to security issues threatening lives and property in this country. This is becoming very difficult.
Security agents are not adequate to tackle the problems arising from the problems. There should be more hands. What is the role of traditional rulers?
The constitution should be amended to give room for roles for the traditional institutions because they know the nooks of the local governments councils. It is the responsibility of these chiefs to look back at their communities through mobilization of their people for mass action.
Security is everybody’s business. They must not be left alone. All hands must be on deck for the security of lives. The governor has done well by signaling the federal government, but more efforts still need to be deployed. He is the chief security of the state.
What is he doing to make sure that lives are protected? He must employ strategies and modalities to tackle these menaces starring everyone in the face. The governor doesn’t need to wait until the state is overwhelmed or overrun by these attackers.
Let the security agents also rise to their responsibilities. What are they being paid for? Giving excuses here and there should not be the way out.
This is least expected from them. Our security agents can do better in other countries, but failing woefully back at home. Why is it like that? Why can’t they use their intelligence to detect this crime? What are they being paid for? It is very painful and sad that we have been reduced to the level we are due to lack of preparation to tackle this menace.
Are they trying to deny our children Western education? Why allow this ragtag creating fears everywhere for our children not to go to school again? The benefits of education are permanent. Government must take up the challenge of ensuring that these children are not denied their rights to education.
