By Chigozie Igbo Jr.
The security situation in the south east has gone gaga and definitely certain measures different from the norm, must be set in motion to bring it to a stop forthwith. What we are witnessing in the south east is not about activism or the quest for Biafra's emacipaction, as being touted in some quarters, but a well thought out plan by criminal elements to cash in on the Biafra struggle, so to say, to perpetually humiliate people from the south east. Not only are we humiliated, we are also maimed, most times our properties and sources of livelihood destroyed for selfish interest. Today, the south east has become a ghost of itself, with economic activities grinding to a halt on Mondays, and any day, they deem fit as their sit at home days. An economy that was bubbling with steady growth and fun is now a place for pity. Who visits owerri, enugu, onitsha, aba, abakaliki, nnewi to ease off the stress or do business again without being afraid of the unknown? The term unknown has become synonymous with the south east, a plague that has gone beyond the River Niger to other parts of the country.
It's unfortunate that in the face of all these attrocities being committed against the people, not much has been done by the governor's of the south east,at least to regain public confidence to come out especially on Mondays to work or trade. It's rather unfortunate to say the least,that when Governor Hope Uzodinma rose to the occasion to defend Imo, those that were being defended called him names, some said, "he went and brought the military to kill their children" Today, we know better. Is it not an absurdity that people are fighting against the government that wants to protect them? All kudos to brain washing, no thanks to the social media. All the same, I doff my heart for Imo state government for bringing the battle to them, but truly a lot needs to be done to curb this meance.
The story is the same across the south east. From Imo to Anambra, Ebonyi to Enugu and Abia, the people of the south east are in pains, not because they don't know what to do, but because the government and it's agencies have not done enough, either for lack of staff or intelligence. Our people are indeed confused on what to do, and many have resigned to faith, in obedience to none state actors who have remained faceless, while using their mercenaries to inflit fear on the people. The people are afraid to die. They don't want to be scape goats. They want to see how it will end. But we can't continue this way. At a point, a school of thought had it that,the conspiracy of silence in the south east by elders and those who are supposed to speak for the south east is worrisome, some said they were afraid of their dear lives, while others just looked the other way. I ask, shall we continue this way? Can't we stand firm and say enough of all these threats and blackmail by none state actors?
We are all Igbos and can't be slaves on our own land. Yes, we are marginalized,we have been made to play the second fiddle, but is it by killing our people that we can achieve parity? We believe something can be done differently, yes but not with the lived of Ndigbo. That notwithstanding, security has gone beyond the mere " wey dem, wey dem". Over the years security strategy has been oriented towards dealing with one or a few vital threats in the past, but the prevailing approach today is to develop a set of capabilities to meet a broad spectrum of security threats and challenges. The uncertainty and fluidity of the security environment, however, demands a faster response to emerging threats, that can be provided only through a 'post-modern' approach to making security strategy-an approach focusing on flexibility and adaptiveness with its interplay with other security instruments.
Security, like many practices, is evolving. To stay ahead of threats, the south east needs to take a modern approach to securing it's territories. But what does that actually mean? To break down what qualifies as a modern approach to security, let’s first identify a few key qualities that modern security teams should have. Adoption of the mindset that the environment has already been compromised.
The ability to rapidly adapt to the new and unknown methods,and a focus on hiring the right people (and not just buying tools). All thanks to Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah for taking the bull by the horn. Many of the elders in the south east kept quiet not because they are safe, but who knows, maybe, when they talk, might be hurt, some might have also stayed on the fence for political or personal interest, but Senator Ubah dared all odds and launched operation secure and light up Anambra South Senatorial District, his immediate constituency Wich he represents at the Senate. An innovation never before seen in the history of the south east. As a selfless leader he took the front roll, and made sure the vision becomes a reality. Today, in conjunction with Nnewi Concerned Citizens, a pilot scheme has been set up and the whole of Nnewi North LGA is under surveillance, the first of it's kind in the south east if not Nigeria.
With the touch of a bottom, one can trace criminal elements and their activities. With a touch of the bottom a hard security situation can be solved effortlessly. It did not end at that, Senator Ubah in his usual magnanimity also made sure that these equipments are manned by good hands, thereby helping government to employ more people. Today, through this surveillance so many security situations have been solved or abated, little wonder the criminals are crying and daring him, but unfortunately the security survillance can't be reversed. Rather it will be deployed to cover the rest of Anambra state.
It's heart breaking to note however, that even with all these efforts some Anambra citizens in collaboration with none state actors because of politics have gone to the social media to stalk Senator Ubah, who has nothing to lose if he kept quiet like other south east leaders, at least he has worn the Senate for the second time, a rare feat in the history of Anambra South Senatorial District, and can choose to remain adamant and nothing will happen.
But he said No. Stalking him or calling him names will not change anything but would rather point to out the real enemies within.
I want to in a special way commend Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, for his proactive measures in nipping the bud of insecurity at least in Nnewi. I want to commend him for standing on his feet to condemn in strong terms the unusual 7 days sit at home directives from Simon Ekpa, who in far away Finland has caused the death of so many Igbo men, directly or indirectly. Does Simon Ekpa know what it means to be under gunfire attack? Senator Ubah knows that, and has felt the bitter impact. Leaders lead from the front and not by proxy, or through the blue app or the social media. Senator Ubah did it during the Endsars era, even at the height of criminality during the 2021 guber election in Anambra, he also lead from the front, and he is doing it again. He is saying, " enough is enough".
We can't continue to be hoodwinked by faceless individuals whose interest is self and not for the people. In all I want to also commend Prof Charles Soludo for standing by his Senator. I want to thank him for seeing the vision and sincerity of purpose in him. Even though they are not of the same political party. The governor should ad well draw strength from the fact that Senator Ubah has made this model possible in Nnewi North LGA presently and as such, it can be done all over Anambra South and indeed Anambra state to secure the state, a cue other states can keep into.
Now, is not a time for Igbo's to bicker, now is a time for us to look at the measures Senator Ubah has adopted and do well to spread it across the south east discreetly to save the insecurity situation in the zone. Technology has proven to be the best approach in tackling insecurity and the earlier we adopt this principle, the better for us. It's however incumbent on our state government's to come together, form synergy and look at the attitudes, behaviors, cognition, communication, compliance, norms, and responsibilities of not just security operatives but citizens as well. This is so because an effective security apparatus should be an effective security system, comprising of Protection, Detection, Verification & Reaction, and Senator Ubah has put in place all these indices in motion with the setting up of the surveillance system in Nnewi, in conjunction with Nnewi Concerned Citizens, what more can we do, than to support him, rather than discourage him.
Chigozie Igbo Jr
Writes From Nnewi,
Anambra state