It is unfortunate that in spite of Federal Government’s efforts to reduce to barest minimum, the level of insecurity, across Nigeria, dare-devil killer-herdsmen and kidnappers have been perpetrating their dastardly acts brazenly as if they are above the laws of the land. The atrocities being committed by these blood-thirsty criminals have led to needless loss of considerable number of innocent lives and valuable property.
These seemingly unending wanton killings must have informed the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s plan to partner the United States of America (USA) California National Guard to check the steadily increasing security challenges facing the country as a result of deadly attacks by herdsmen and kidnappers in some parts of the country. Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen-Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd), reportedly made this disclosure when US military team, headed by Maj-Gen. David Baldwin, paid him courtesy visit in Abuja.
The minister hinted that part of the agreement was that California National Guard would train a detachment of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Agro Rangers to stem incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen, as well as constant kidnappings in the country. He reportedly added: “We at the ministry focus on policies that will enhance internal security of the country and we want to collaborate at that level to see how we can manage our efforts towards the security sector reforms”.
There is no doubt that the rising wave of killings arising from herdsmen-farmers’ clashes, as well as kidnappings has increased the level of insecurity in the country. For instance, frequent attacks of defenceless farmers by herdsmen, armed with AK-47 and other dangerous weapons, have scared farmers away from farms, thereby posing great threat to government’s efforts to diversify the economy away from oil to agriculture in order to ensure food security and jobs for the growing population of unemployed youths.
Kidnappings have become lucrative business in Nigeria and those engaged in the illicit business have become emboldened because no kidnapper has been severely punished to serve as a deterrent to others. The spate of mindless killings by herdsmen and kidnappers should ordinarily, be of major concern to government whose responsibility is to guarantee safety and welfare of its citizens. Unfortunately, the rate at which rampaging herdsmen and kidnappers are killing unarmed citizens either on their farms or elsewhere is clear indication that relevant security agencies charged with responsibility of securing lives and property of the citizens have failed woefully in discharging their statutory duties.
Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari, expressed sadness over persistent killings in certain parts of Nigeria. On a number of occasions in the recent past, he had indicated that killings by herdsmen and kidnappers have led to loss of lives. However, beyond sadness and lamentations, the president should muster the political will to deal decisively with the mounting challenges posed by deadly activities of herdsmen and kidnappers. There is no doubt that Nigeria stands to gain from the proposed collaboration between government and USA California National Guard, especially in the area of security. Ahead of the 2019 general elections, government should pay serious attention to frightening security challenges rocking the country. It is a national tragedy that will continue to haunt those in authority unless they bring the situation under control soonest.
While partnering U.S on fighting Boko Haram insurgency, California National Guard could assist in areas of intelligence gathering, training and retraining of security personnel and logistics support. U.S Government could also establish a military operations base in Nigeria without compromising the security architecture of the country, as well as assist in negotiating for release of the remaining Chibok school girls, Leah Sharibu and others still in captivity of Boko Haram terrorists.
Although government claims it had finally decimated Boko Haram, lingering cases of Boko Haram insurgents using young suicide bombers to wreak havoc in the North-East call for collaborative efforts between Nigeria and United States.
The joint efforts could also bring under control the unending killings by herdsmen and kidnappers in Benue, Kaduna, Plateau and Taraba States, amongst others. Rather than the vexed issue of colonies federal government had proposed for herdsmen countrywide, Nigerian Government should borrow a leaf from the age-long rich experience of American Government in cattle ranching.
We believe establishment of ranches by cattle owners will reduce drastically if not totally eliminate on-going senseless killings by herdsmen.
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