Insecurity: Why sponsors of violent crimes should have a rethink
By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu
Insecurity is an evil wind that blows no one any good.
Any time the men of the underworld strike, they leave innocent people in pain and agony that may not be forgotten in a lifetime.
Security personnel and hard working residents of Abia State have become targets of attacks by unknown gunmen in the past few months, a development that has left many in pain and palpable fear.
It’s a common knowledge that no government anywhere in the world can go to bed when hoodlums are on the prowl, brazenly killing and maiming its citizens.
This informed the decision of the Abia State Government, led by Gov. Alex Otti, to ensure that no inch of Abia’s territory is ceded to criminal elements.
This decision is intended to give law abiding residents a safe environment to go about their lawful businesses without fear of intimidation or attacks.
Again, government can only carry out its business of developing the state and delivering the dividend of good governance to the people only in a safe and secured environment.
Consequently, Gov. Otti has continued to prioritise the safety of all parts of the state amongst other government’s engagements.
Recall that the governor had launched a joint counter criminal operation in the state, code named Operation Crush, in August last year to deal decisively with criminals troubling the state.
One of the major achievements of the team was the restoration security in Isuikwuato and Umunneochi LGAs of the state, particularly the Lokpanta cattle market axis, where the men of the underworld had operated freely for years, robbing, kidnapping, killing and maiming innocent residents and visitors to the state.
The joint security task force had also played an active role in checkmating the activities of kidnappers, car snatchers, armed robbers in other parts of the state, including Ohafia, Umuahia and Aba.
Abians have really enjoyed first class security under the watch of Gov. Otti, until recently when attacks on military checkpoints and innocent residents of the state resurfaced.
However, what should bother every right thinking person in the state is what could be the intent of these ravaging gunmen and their sponsors at this point when the state is experiencing rapid development in every sector of its economy, thereby providing the opportunity for businesses to thrive.
The answer is not far-fetched – the young men being used to carry out these dastardly acts are obviously misguided by some unpatriotic individuals who have no good intentions for the state.
In a mixed economy as obtained in Nigeria, what any progressive-minded person needed to do is to engage in production or service delivery as a way of growing the economy.
Good enough, Nigeria is blessed with abundant human capital and natural resources, hence finding labour for any industry in any part of the country is not usually a problem.
So, what those who have the resources to purchase weapons, cars and other logistics needed to run a criminal cartel need to do is channel their resources to productive ventures.
Abia is home to many industrious and enterprising people whose ingenuity in manufacturing, fabrication, trade and commerce have gained international recognition.
The sponsors of criminal activities in the state should have a rethink and invest their resources in productive ventures that will grow and develop the state.
The Gov. Otti’s administration is also opening up new frontiers of business opportunities in the state for goal-driven businessmen to invest in the agro-business sector by reconstructing many abandoned rural roads in the state.
Recently, 298 young Abians were sponsored for a training at the CSS Farms in Nasarawa State.
Upon completing the training, the State Government disbursed interest-free agric loans to them and charged them to train other farmers in their respective communities and LGAs.
The State Government had also announced plans to recover government-owned farm settlements concessioned to private individuals and hand them over to investors to encourage mechanised farming in the state.
Sponsors of violent crimes in the state should have a rethink, change their mindset and take advantage of the numerous business opportunities that abound in the state to invest their resources in productive ventures for the good of all and sundry.
Interestingly, the administration of Gov. Otti is not leaving any stone unturned in its fight against insecurity.
The governor has consistently assured security agencies in the state of government’s support in the discharge of their constitutional mandate.
He expressed his deep concerns for the fallen soldiers in a condolence message, dated November 14, and addressed to the new Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Olufemi Oluyede.
In the letter, which the governor personally signed, he stated: “It is with a deep sense of Ioss that I write to commiserate with you over the unfortunate and barbaric killing of three soldiers by yet-to-be-identified assailants at the boundary town of Umuopara, in Umuahia South LGA of my state.
“Indeed, this unwarranted and mindless attack targeted at our gallant soldiers, who have remained steadfast in ensuring the security of lives and property of Abia State, is highly condemnable.”
He assured the military authorities and bereaved families that the State Government “will not rest until the perpetrators of this dastardly act are apprehended and dealt with, accordingly.
“My administration is poised to join hands with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation with a view to unmasking those behind the attack,” he further stated.
The Abia chief executive prayed that God Almighty grants the souls of the fallen soldiers eternal rest as well as the fortitude to those they left behind to bear the loss.
He has promised to make the necessary contact with the immediate families of all the late soldiers in due course, “with a view to supporting them as they mourn their loved ones”.
However, while it is expected that the gang terrorising the state would possibly turn a new leaf, all hands must be on deck in the fight against insecurity in our state.
The security agencies in the state need the support they can get from the residents to succeed in the fight against insecurity because security is everyone’s business.
The security operatives in the state should be combat ready at all times, especially those deployed to checkpoints.
Furthermore, the high commands of the various security agencies should provide enough protective devices for their operational men in the field.
Again, various security agencies in the country should engage in intelligence sharing as well as scientific methods of crime fighting in order to win the war against insecurity.
Residents of the state must also see themselves as partners to the security agencies and government in their efforts to secure all parts of the state by providing them useful information about suspicious movements in their towns and villages.
# A safe Abia is possible
#To God be glory!
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, a journalist and public affairs analyst, writes from Umuahia.