By Obiotika Toochukwu
During the campaigns for the 2023 General Elections, the known militia and pariah state of Nigeria experienced calm, peace, and safety. It was nuanced that the sponsors of terrorism, banditry and other crimes were too occupied with the electioneering campaigns. Few weeks after the elections and announcement of results, the spate of insecurity took over the Nigerian space again.
It is quite disheartening to see young men of school age involved in various crimes. Education in Nigeria has been so much degraded that most youths view it as a waste of money, time and resources. Due to incessant strikes and other bottlenecks in the high institutions, majority of the students have embraced cybercrimes, internet fraud (Yahoo plus) and kidnapping. The university professors on the other hand are used by the incumbent government to perpetuate electoral fraud and announcement of election results marred by irregularities.
A pertinent question seeking for answers is why do individuals
take up leadership positions in Nigeria? To feather their own nest? Take on an
uneasy head bearing a crown? Become famous and popular? Or to be precursors to
the demands of common good, improve and make their society better and liveable?
Our world must be a crazy place to live in. It is just like solving one problem
today, and tomorrow another one rears its ugly head.
Do we need a soothsayer to declare that the network of criminality
is getting stronger everyday in Nigeria? Several State Governors have abandoned
the security of lives and property to providence and fate due to incessant
killings and lack of cooperation from the federal government. Crime rate in
Nigeria has taken a new dimension in recent times. All these happenings
corroborate the statement that ‘the society we abuse today, will take revenge
on us tomorrow’.
Politicians and influential personalities are seen in different
church denominations thanking God for sparing their lives from bloodthirsty
men. We may not need the analysis of criminologists to validate that the
corruption of the best is the worst of all corruption. Conflicts, religious
tension, religious intolerance which has often bedeviled the nation are ignored
due to the tribalistic minds of our leaders. The wealthy and the rich are not
the only ones affected by the high rate of crimes; poor farmers and animal
husbandmen are always attacked by armed men.
Moreover,
we cannot discuss crime in Nigeria without referring to the APC-led government
at the Federal level which promised to end insurgency, terrorism, banditry and
other crimes in 2015 but has failed woefully in protecting lives and property.
The rate at which young people embrace crime is an indicator of a failure on
the part of government. Ritual money, ritual killings and celebration of evil
practices are on the increase. Thuggery and touting were the mechanism used by
the ruling party in some states to win elections. Kidnapping and demand for
ransom are always evolving into different forms in the South eastern part of
Nigeria. In some parts of Nigeria, Christians do not attend churches again for
fear of losing their lives.
Undoubtedly, there is crime in every corner of the world but the
rate of crimes in Nigeria is alarming. The dignity, sanctity and sacredness of
human life are derided. Even priests, pastors and men of God are not spared in
the quest for quick money or innocent blood. Some Catholic priests have been
killed and others kidnapped. The masses in Nigeria are faced with the worst
scenario of their life every day. Night life is a thing of the past in some
cities in Nigeria. Families, friends, relations and well-wishers are too scared
to attend social events like burials, parties, picnics, fun-seeking,
recreational outdoor programmes. Many Nigerians are regretting being a Nigerian
in the first place.
As a solution is not forthcoming from the government, which is
into a social contract with the citizens, many are seeking to take laws into
their own hands and protect themselves. The failure of the government to fight
crime, prosecute offenders and the courts to sentence them portends a grave
danger for Nigerians. In October 2020, the youths took to the streets
protesting police brutality. It all shows that justice is not well served as it
concerns crime and corruption. Today, not a significant improvement is
recorded.
The most corrupt Nigerians are seen among the security agents and
the armed forces. The security apparatus in Nigeria has been severely
compromised. Inadvertently, the law enforcement agents take authority from the
executive arm of government and our political leaders. The rot in Nigerian
leadership and democracy is horrendous. To clean up Nigeria is a great task.
Only a competent, capable hand with integrity can make Nigerians smile and
sleep with their two eyes closed again.
Northern Kaduna, Benue, Enugu and Imo States have been engulfed in
unending conflicts that have claimed so many lives. The impact of high crime
rate in Nigeria has affected the citizens physically, mentally, emotionally,
financially and otherwise. The financial crimes perpetuated by political
leaders in Nigeria have given vent to all kinds of atrocities in the country.
Many people have been turned to widows, widowers, orphans and beggars due to
crime. The rate of extortion and brutality by the law enforcement agents leave
much to be desired of a country.
Unfortunately,
the only thing that our leaders do in the midst of the imbroglio is to express
shock, mourn or sympathize. A lot of Nigerians are fearful and depressed due to
crime. There is a feeling of helplessness in Nigeria as far as insecurity is
concerned. Many have resorted to substance abuse, self-harm and attempted
suicide in the wake of unwarranted deaths. The important question remains: How
do we achieve successful prosecution of criminal offenders and dismantle the
organized criminal groups? How do we assist and protect people who have fallen
victim or witnessed serious crimes?
Organised crimes in Nigeria range from human trafficking, armed
robbery, hired assassins, kidnapping, rape, prostitution, banditry, terrorism
and Fulani herdsmen attacks. The South west geo-political zone established a
security outfit known as ‘Amotekun’ due the several attacks and killings
by Fulani herdsmen. In the South east part of the country, the governors
established ‘Ebube Agu’ security outfit and Eastern Security Network (ESN) due
to wanton loss of lives and property orchestrated by the Fulani herders. All
these point to the fact that all is not well with Nigeria.
Finally, all that Nigeria needs is responsible and accountable
leaders. It is a noteworthy testimony that leaders are a terror to evil. “For
rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil”. Who then should fear the
power of political leaders; those who commit crime, or those who criticise
government policies or law-abiding citizens? Leaders are given power by God to
be a minister of good deeds. Why should leaders relax, be at rest when evil and
crime thrive?
A place of leadership is a place of honour. Leadership is simply
the practice of positive influence on character, development or behaviour of
people without the use of brute force and direct exercise of power. It is not a
title but a task because a leader has many constituencies and needs to be many
things to many people. Godly leadership entails promoting righteousness and
eschewing evil. Self-reevaluation is crucial in leadership. Leaders must be
accountable and not blame others for failures that occur under their watch.
*Toochukwu
wrote from Trade Fair Complex, ASPAMDA, Lagos.
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