July 20, (THEWILL) — The Minister of Defense, retired General Christopher Musa’s recent shoot-at-sight order to soldiers fighting terrorists, bandits and insurgents is, presumably, a logical outcome of the determination of the Federal Government to reclaim the drivers’ seat amid the worsening insecurity in the country. The order could not have come at an auspicious time.
Coming after the departure of the US troops involved in counterintelligence operations with their Nigerian counterparts, leading to the killing of a major terrorist, the disorganisation of the communication network and arms of many other terrorists belonging to ISWAP and Boko Haram, that order is a welcome development.
The government, the security agencies need to seize the initiative in the seemingly unending theatre of violence, banditry, kidnapping and terrorism that has spread virtually all over the country. With the notable exception of the South-south geo-political zone, almost all other zones in the country are at the mercy of the terrorists.
Even so, nobody can say with certainty how long the South-South zone can hold out. Only last week, reports from Okpanam in Delta State confirmed this pessimism. The local security outfits there, equipped with spy gadgets, were able to locate and dislodge wanted terrorists who relocated from the heat of the war in the Northwest to the forest in the South-south state.
With alarming speed, the terror attacks that were once domiciled in the Northeast, migrated to the Northwest, invaded the Northcentral and now inhabit the Southwest. The abducted school children and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, who recently regained freedom after spending 56 days in captivity, is a stark reminder of this renewed invasion. There is more.
Only a few days ago kidnapped victims of Eda Oniyo community in the Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State regained freedom after spending 67 days in captivity, courtesy of a N25.5 million ransom paid through contributions from their kits and kin at home and in the diaspora.
Minister Musa has been consistent in his advocacy for dealing with the bloodthirsty terrorists and bandits with force. Indeed, force is the only language the outlaws understand. They cannot be so brazen in their wanton killings and expect to be treated with kid gloves. Some state governments, anxious for the safety of the citizens, have negotiated with them, ransom have been paid by traumatised families and communities, treaties have been signed between terrorists, communities and farmers, all to no avail. It is high time to call the bluff of these criminals completely and blast them off their comfort zones. The new and effective intelligence-led operation adopted by the military and allied security forces in securing the unconditional release of the Oyo pupils and teachers has proved to be a powerful game changer in the renewed war against terrorism, banditry and insurgency in the country.
Incentives such as the N100,000 as the least pay for soldiers, up from N50,000 monthly coupled with ongoing review of the government’s anti-kidnapping strategy under the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in collaboration with the UK National Crime Agency, is welcome. Adding these renewed measures to the legal steps involving the speedy prosecution of arrested extremists, should boost the Minister’s directive and hopefully add up to turn the tide in the renewed offensive against terrorists and bandits.
