The Nigerian Political Spectrum requires decentralised policing to regulate the activities of vigilante groups and curb sub nationals self help arrangements.
Section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, stipulates that security and welfare of the people is solely the cardinal responsibility of government.
Those who carried out the gruesome murder of Nigerians whether hunters or passers-by in Uromi,Edo State are outlaws and were deliberate in their actions and must be brought to book to face the consequences of their actions that is not lawful,not acceptable and should not be encouraged in any part of the country.
My question?
Why did the locals not hand-over the suspects to officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) or other security forces,but resorted to self-help? We must examine deviant actions and misbehaviour, and possible lost of confidence in constituted authorities by citizens.
The above assertion is the consequence of such abuse and deliberate barbaric attitude that threw the country in a bad mood and shade both locally and in the face of the International Community, somebody may argue,some countries are worst off,yes,but not a standard for this age,Nations are getting out of the woods and stone age to Jet age and advancement, industrialization, socialisation and in humanitarian efforts, not killers of fellow innocent humans who were travelling on transit not to settle or reside in the community where they were killed in cold blood.
The encouragement of such action could encourage militias,outlaws,killers and anarchists to think it is an acceptable norm.
Nigerians and the government must rise to this occasion to set up a very strong team to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the murder,those involved,why their actions,and those killed, where were they coming from ? Were they trailed ?Were they law abiding ? Why the mass movement with weapons? Were they registered or regulated if yes, by which body?, Their operations within the region has it or was it ever a threat? Was there any reported case(s) relating to such groups? Were they mistaken or otherwise for kidnappers, terrorists or destructive arm carrying herders?
These and many more questions must be raised. A strong federal government delegation to involve the Presidency,Legislators,selected judicial officials,Minister of Interior,Police Affairs,Humanitarian,IGP,CDS,DG-DSS, or their representatives to visit Uromi Community and Edo State Government for fact findings and compilation of investigative report,and a condolence visit to the state of origin of the murdered fellows to commiserate with the government and people of such state, and the families of the bereaved duly compensated by government to alleviate the hardship and pains of losing a bread winner and loved one.
On a professional point of view,I will opine that decentralised policing will go a long way to addressing the roles played by unknown, unregistered and unregulated sub national arm carriers who in whatever guise may abuse their limits and rights while protecting their communities from threat or anything they view as criminal, there must be an established standard practice for any group desiring to carry arms and to use same for purposes that may seem legitimate or for security.
The group must be an establishment of government,duly registered,regulated and monitored by the state either at state or local government levels, whichever way possible, no group should be allowed without approval or permission by the relevant security agencies responsible for clearance, screening and monitoring of security outfits and organisations private or public.
The relevant Ministries of Police Affairs, Interior and agency like NSCDC must upscale and put up a position of relevance in checkmating internal security related issues that bothers on community policing, establishment of vigilante groups and private security outfits all around the country,regular highway patrol by police and support from other forces is necessary due to the political atmospheric changes, as the next election moves closer.
The intelligence community :police,NSCDC, Military and other supporting forces must rise up to the occasion to address issues as they happen and to garner confidence of the citizens as they remain law abiding and respectful to the laws of the land.
Law is not blind,the perpetrators must be brought to book,to face the music and as a deterrent to others,we look forward to seeing government report and actions following this happening and others in other locations including the one in parts of Benue,Kaduna, Bokkos in Plateau State among others .
* James Sunday, is member of Security,Conflict Analysts,Negotiations and Resolution
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