ADDRESSING THE SCOURGE OF BOMBINGS IN NIGERIA

C. Nna-Emeka Okereke Ph.D

One recurrent security challenge that confronts many states in contemporary world is the scourge of bombing perpetrated by various groups and organisations that harbour grievances against the state. Such bombings are often associated with terrorist aggressions and have been experienced in countries like Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel and Kenya. Others include Somalia, Spain, Tanzania and United Kingdom, United States of America among others. It is important to observe that the experiences of these countries with acts of terrorism only heightened insecurities and tensions but never resolved the grievances that stimulated them.

In Nigeria, the scourge of bombings that bear the imprints of terrorist incursions indicates the dawn of a new regime of security concern in the country. Such bombings have in the recent past been experienced in cities like Jos, Yenagoa and Abuja. The consequences include the loss of lives and property of innocent Nigerians and increased apprehension on the question of security in Nigeria. They also pose threats to government’s commitments to peace-building, sustainable democracy and political stability in the country. It should be realised that whatever their motivations, these dastardly acts constitutes set back to the pursuit of unity, national security and development in the country and should be condemned in entirety.

Nigeria is presently at the dawn of a new beginning which require investments in infrastructural development, environmental governance and rebranding of her image. She is in an era where the government should be encouraged to foster national integration, stimulate economic development and enhance the standard of living of her population. These goals cannot be attained in a security vacuum characterised by periodic bombing and other acts reminiscent of terrorism as now evident in our country.

A fact that we should realize is that terrorism is alien to Nigeria and as such should not attract Nigerian patronage. This suggests that relevant preventive measures should be adopted to halt incursion of terrorism into our country. Consequently, aggrieved Nigerians should explore legitimate avenues to seek redress to grievances. It is in line with this that the following recommendations are proffered as recipe to halt the scourge of bombings in the country.
i. The Federal Government should solicit technical assistance from countries with requisite expertise to counter it and also countries that have contained such aggressions.
ii. The Federal Government should invest in the provision of necessary security infrastructures and training that will enhance the operation of the various security agencies in the country.
iii. The various tiers of government should invest more in enhancing the standard of leaving and the pursuit of justice, fairness and equity in the country.
iv. The National Assembly should enact relevant legislations that address the scourge of terrorism and related security challenges in the country.
v. The security agencies should intensify inter-agency cooperation to combat the menace.
vi. Media jingles should be effectively utilised to stimulate public resentment on acts of terrorism.
vii. In addition, general public should make vigilance their watchword since the task of security is a collective responsibility which should attract commitment from every peace loving Nigeria.

Finally, we have no other home but Nigeria. Let us join hands and put an end to this menace because it is better to remove the monkey’s hand from the pot of soup before it turns to human hand.

Source: Recorded live from FRCN daily commentary