IDP carnage and the raging sphere of insecurity in Nigeria

Alfred Davies/MSF

By

Ogunniyi Abayomi

“War is war, the only good human is a dead one”

            George Orwell; Animal Farm.

Last week, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Rann, in the Kala Balge local government area of Nigeria’s Borno State was ravaged by a military plane carelessly dropping two bombs into the camp. The number of casualties soon rose, 236 people reportedly losing their lives in the attack.

The infliction of carnage within our society over time has endangered many people restricting their movement in a volatile environment whereby danger looms daily. The security crisis within is undermined, therefore citizens are exposed to the danger of being disarmed and possibly killed without the culprit being arrested or sentenced to jail for such gruesome offences.

The uncertainty and low esteem over the responsibility of our security agencies indicates the disdainful attitude towards life and property whereby the majority are victims of incessant attacks and crimes within society. A few weeks ago in Ogun State, students of the Nigerian-Turkish International School were kidnapped within the school premises, reminiscent of the 276 female students who were abducted by the Boko Haram sect on the 14-15 April, 2016 at the town of Chibok in Borno State. From this erupted an anticipatory alertness among parents, staff and occupants for the quick intervention of security operatives and the neighbouring towns and villages within the state.

The state governor and Commissioner of Police were quick to ensure the matter was resolved within the week. Negotiations were made between the abductors and parents via the management of the school who by investigation located the kidnappers and the abode they kept the missing students.

Solidarity between the parents and management of the school enabled the success of their relatively hasty release from the abductors. Efforts made to ensure the students were brought home safely were the contribution and collaboration of parents, management and concerned citizens in the state; the contribution of security operatives was minimal which was a main complaint of the poor state of security in Nigeria.

The explosion at the University of Maiduguri killing at least four and inflicting injury on others was further sad evidence of threats within our environment. Scores of people die daily yet no one is prosecuted for these acts within the northern region of the country.

Nigerian State Security (DSS) have been illegally clamping down on those who dare to speak, including journalists, allegations evoked that lack evidence therefore the accused is jailed unlawfully unless he/she is ready to adhere to bail conditions.

The Premium Times and Sahara Reporters could not be silenced or forgotten in the weave of time, reminiscent of the military era where people who spoke against the government were arrested.

Authorities are unconcerned when victims die daily without the interference of the police and legal authority for justice. Falsely we declare victory over Boko Haram yet they strike incessantly without human consideration to live on the soil. How much longer can we continue to count daily the threats, attacks and daily assaults we encounter within the sphere of society?

The Shiite Muslim crisis in Kaduna also looms daily, over time venting its power over the religious community, harassing their identity thereby killing each other, yet the Inspector General of Police remains quiet over the situation. For how long do we brood over this?

We have been under the gridlock of insecurity due to the absence of a vibrant and effective leadership in the country. As we approach the 2019 election, should 2017 be the time to start better preparing?

Ogunniyi Abayomi

Ogunniyi Abayomi was born July 11, 1991 in the city of Lagos, where he resides. A poet and essayist whose works have been published in various journals.