•The Buhari administration should deploy enough fire power in short order
It is very unfortunate that, in Nigeria today, the existence of militants has become a national problem and pain in the neck. There are now militants almost everywhere in the country, from the northern to southern states, especially the Boko Haram and Niger Delta militants who have remained a veritable bugbear disturbing the peace, security and economic stability of the country. Yesterday it was Boko Haram militants in the north, today it is Niger Delta with assorted militant groups fighting for one thing or the other. The militants have even found their ways to parts of the south west like Ogun and Lagos states.
On July 19, on Pacific Estate, Ikejiobi Avenue, Ewedogbon in the Igando area of Lagos State, there was chaos after some militants engaged security operatives in a gun battle for about seven hours. The gunmen and about 15 women militants invaded the community at about 6.00 am through the waterways behind the estate. Two hours later, the policemen deployed to the area engaged the bandits in a gun battle. The militants who also looted shops escaped with frozen foods, bags of rice and garri. The situation was so tense that some residents, mostly women and children, left the area at about 2.00 pm. About 13 police vans, two Rapid Respond Squad armoured tanks and three OP MESA vans were on hand to protect about 200 displaced residents.
The good thing about the incident was that some residents luckily escaped during the gun battle between the police and the militants. Although normalcy was later restored to the area, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmus, said no policeman died in the incident while no arrests were made, as the command was at that time still on the trail of the suspects.
It is worrisome that militant attacks, which used to happen only in the Niger Delta region, is becoming a recurring decimal in Lagos State these days. For instance, there were similar instances in Ikorodu and a few other places in Lagos, which is not good news considering, especially, the investment of the Lagos State Government on security. We expect the police to complement such efforts by the Lagos State Government by putting in their all to ensure that citizens in any part of the state sleep with their two eyes closed.
In any contest between ragtag bandits which the militants are, irrespective of where they hail from, and the country’s security agencies, there should be no doubt as to who wields the ultimate power. Given the manner the militants and other bandits had escaped through the creeks in the state after wreaking havoc, it is evident that the Marine Police Unit is not empowered enough to effectively challenge them.
A source confirmed that much when he reportedly told the News Agency of Nigeria last year that “we don’t have boats to race in the quickest time for rescue mission. The highest speed boat in our fleet is 100 horse powers. We have the manpower, as well as the arms to handle any situation, but we don’t have adequate means of mobility for urgent mission. We appeal to the federal and Lagos State governments for new speedboats.” With the incessant attacks on residents and public facilities in the riverine areas of the state by the militants, we urge the police authorities to repair the unit’s broken down boats and acquire new ones to complement the ones donated to the police by the state government, to enable them meet the challenges of crime in the state.
The government does not have to wait until the situation gets out of hand before doing something to stem the tide. Insecurity of whatever kind is not only bad for the people; it is also bad for business. On this note, the Federal Government should do everything within its power to stamp out this notorious challenge before it becomes a festering sore that may be difficult to cure. A stitch in time saves nine!
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