One can think of no country in the world, where the security condition is perfect. Even in the Scandinavian countries, where life seems so simple, peaceful and joyfuland where the quality of life is very highthere are the occasional security lapses. The Oslo bombing, and the massacre on the Island of Utoya, are examples of such aberrations. In this instance, the Norwegian government stepped up: it investigated the crime; arrested the suspects; provided for the wounded; compensated the family of the death; rebuilt damaged infrastructure; reassured the public of their safety; and then, put safety nets in place. In Norway and in similar countries, the vast majority of the people trust their government to look after their interest. Though not perfect, unlike what we have in Nigeria, such governments are responsible, responsive and accountable to the people. There is a bond between the government and the people it serves. In the end, both the government and the people work towards a perfect union. Unless youve lived in countries where government truly works, you may not truly understand what it means to live in a functioning society. The chaos and the anarchy in Nigeria are such that they assault ones humanity on a daily basis. It is like a jungle, out here.Nigeria has never been a very safe and secure country; nonetheless, the security condition was tolerable. At least, this was the case in the post-civil war years and for several years thereafter. In recent years, however, violence has assumed stratospheric proportion: the level of savagery and barbarism in these violence and mayhem has begun to offend even those who made violence and criminality their craft and hobby. Simply put: things are getting out of hand! One of the downside to violence and criminality is that many people have got so used to it: mans inhumanity to man no longer shocks many Nigerians. Nigerians are becoming de-sensitised to what it means to be human. This is painful, so very painful!Violence, no matter how gut-wrenching, no longer seems to offend even the younger generation. On a daily basis, they see it. They see the wounded. They see the abused. They see the beaten and the molested. They see the burnt and the scalded. They see the dying and the dead. They see how neighbours dehumanise fellow neighbours. They see Muslims killing Christians. They see Christians killing Muslims. They see men killing women and children and vice versa. They see life being snuffed out of their fellow human beings. Do we know the psychological effect of all these on the young and impressionable minds'It is sad and heart-broken when all these things happen and the government, at both the state and federal levels, seems impotent and unable to act. What kind of government sits idly by when the peoples safety and security are being violated' What manner of government concedes the public space to outlaws and criminal elements' What government allows its authority and influence to be challenged by non-state actors' What reasonable government stands askance as private and governing institutions are being vandalised. But more than that, what president sits and watches as his authority is being called into question' What we see is an administration whose authority is being eroded, and the power of the Presidency, gradually being questioned. To these, there are several downsides.First, it diminishes the power and the reputation of our governing institutions; and specifically, it diminishes the power and the reputation of the president. The implication, here, is that the general public may see him as weak and indecisive, and as a push-over. Secondly, that extra-judicial groups can operate at will, and without penalty, emboldens such groups and, in return, makes a mockery of the intelligence and security agencies. Third, the people will, invariably, lose confidence in the ability of the police and other government apparatus to maintain law and order. Once these happen, what follow is an atmosphere of turmoil, mistrustful and evil machinations.Unless the current situation is brought under control, there is the possibility of a rise in ethno-nationalism and ethno-regionalismwhich may lead to romance with or outright call for secession. We know that a large section of Nigeria is already wondering, "What is the matter with the North'" Frankly, there is nothing wrong with the North. There is something else the government should know insofar as violence and instability are concerned: they sometimes trigger military coups, however anyone might look away. For how long do you suppose the military will safeguard our democracy when members of its group are being slaughtered'When will the massacre and the mayhem in Jos stop' When' A once peaceful and thriving city is fast becoming a social, economic and cultural wasteland. From Bauchi to Maiduguri and virtually all spots in between, that part of the country is being rendered inhabitable and inhospitable. Imagine what would happen if the South-South, South-East and the South-West decide to avenge the killing of their sons and daughters' What will happen if Christians in the south decide to avenge the killing of Christians in the north' The potential for Low Intensity Conflict or outright war is there. And these we should avoid by bringing to a halt all the senseless killings and destructions.To be clear, one is not suggesting that the administration of Goodluck Jonathan is solely and wholly responsible for all that is wrong with Nigeria. No. To make such suggestion or allusion would be wrong and irresponsible. The problem here is that under his watch, things seem to be getting out of control: an insecure landscape has become a killing field- with skulls and bones seen everywhere. And even for those of us who live on the other side of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, the belief is that his administration has lost control of its internal problems and challenges. It seems to have lost grip of reality and the instrument of governance. With this government, one cannot tell what is possible and what is impossible.Ah, the killings! It wont be long before every single family is, directly or indirectly, pained by the ongoing carnage. Just a few years ago, my best friends brother, Debo Adetona, was killed in Jos. His death brought excruciating pain and sorrow to his family. During the first week of November 2011, my family too was subjected to the same heartache and grief, when my brother, James Ako Abidde, of the Nigerian Customs Service, was killed in Maiduguri. He was a Nigerian, a son, a father, a husband, and an uncle to many. They killed him - not because he offended God or man - but because they could. And in cold blood, they did. How callous!What sort of a country is this' Fifty-one years after independence, we have not made significant stride in terms of development and nation-building. Its been 51 years of destructions, of political instability, of savagery, and barbarism. They kill and destroy in the name of God and other deities; they kill because of ethnic and sectional differences. And they kill because of political disagreements. They kill and kill and kill some more. And now, theyve killed my brother! Oh, Nigerians, when will the killing and the mayhem stop' What is it about us that makes killing our neighbours commonplace and acceptable
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