Nigeria, a country made up of different nations and more than 250 ethnicities, speaking different languages but united under one Constitution and Government.
The memories of plateau massacre on the eve of Christmas 2023 still lingers, where more than 150 inhabitants of the state were massacre in cold blood in their homes, streets and farmland by terrorists whose mission is to wreck havoc and make Nigeria ungovernable.
The year 2024 has recorded different spate of kidnapping activities and bandits terrorizing the Northeast, Northwest and the North Central (Middle belt), gradually overshadowing the federal capital Territory (Abuja) and encroaching other regions that made up Nigeria.
The recent invasion of Nigerian Army Post Housing Scheme in the Kurudu area of Abuja by kidnappers and their successful operation shows there is a fire on the mountain of Nigeria security architecture.
Last week explosion in the capital of Oyo state, Ibadan destroying properties and loss of lives is another unexpected tragedy, although there is report that linked the explosion to mining activities in the area, but explosion of such magnitude requires thorough investigation for the purpose of fact finding to avert such occurrence in the nearest future.
Another report of killer herders emanated from Agatu community of Benue state, where farmers were lynched on their farmland and homes without security personnel in place to check their excesses. unsuspecting and helpless villagers mainly women and children, including young men are said to have deserted their homes.
Also from Benue state, newsmen reported that Bandits have shot two soldiers and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) dead in a massive gun-battle at Okokolo community in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue.
All these are indicators that the current security settings and approach in tackling insecurity needs evaluation, requiring regional and international collaboration. these security challenges are obstacles in attracting the right investors and multinational organizations to invest in Nigeria.
By: Hon. Amb. Prince Samuel Adesegun Egunjobi
