The bank robbery and gruesome killing of men of the police force at their station yesterday in Kabba/Bunu, Kogi state, is another sad reminder of a failed security system in Kogi state and Nigeria as a whole. The responsibility of any government is to protect the lives and property of her citizens. Save to say, therefore, that one that has reneged in this fundamental duty can be regarded as failed.
When the people responsible for providing security to the community become victims of insecurity, very little is left to be desired of the government. The confidence level of the people is a factor of the efficiency and effectiveness of their security apparatus. This, most times, drops significantly in situations like this leaving people to source for their own personal security and arms which most times is a far cry from the sophisticated arms of men of the underworld. If the police can not protect themselves, is it the people that they can? The unwritten law of nature is that of self preservation before any other thing else.
As the people of Isanlu are met with this callous and inhuman act, they become yet another statistic in the country of similar commando styled robbery like those seen in offa robbery and others of the same coloration.
Security is a multidimensional and multidisciplinary phenomenon requiring intersectoral collaboration and citizenry participation to achieve the required results. Effective security is embroidered in patriotism, trust for both operatives and citizenry, sincerity and unalloyed commitment by all. It has, in its nucleus, citizen’s respect and dignity by operatives to achieve set goals of national security. Where the citizens are treated unfairly without regard to their rights of freedom of speech and association and unjust acts, there would never be a thriving security operatives-citizens relationship. Trust will be lost and therefore sensitive information that can aid in forestalling sinister actions will be compromised.
As a party, we stand with the people of Kabba bunu and demand that their lives matter and as such are equal to every other citizen privileged with peace and security anywhere in the country. They too deserve the Social amenities of effective security and ease of banking.
We also condemn the dastardly act of killing lives, especially that of our already overburdened and inadequate policemen and women. We pray for the repose of their souls.
We call on the federal and state governments to begin to think outside the box to nip this incessant and recurring decimal of broad daylight bank robbery with its attendant carnage and casualty in the bud. This is one killing too many.
God bless us all.
Sign:
Dr. Okeme Arome
State Secretary,
SDP, Kogi state.