By: Abdulqadir M. Habeeb
The current spate of insecurity is audible to the blind and visible to the deaf, a huge nightmare. A case of the majority living in trepidations and fear. The sins of failure of so many years and inept leadership across board catching upon us, and the most ignoble chicken of rural neglect coming home to roost.
I appreciate the many wars this current Federal government is fighting on different fronts, but most importantly I’m glad they are thinking towards the direction of the rural masses. The insecurity denying the people the ability to farm is a crippling malady, but beyond that, a long-term concerted effort is required to enhance and build the economy in our semi-urban and rural areas. A lot of government intervention cum investment in a very controlled and strategic manner would be required to harness the vast resources found therein. There is an almost unlimited supply of ample manpower, vast fertile landmass, sufficient water resources and most hardworking and content set of humans who would be a worthwhile investment. Mechanised farming should transition from a mere slogan and paper talk to a palpable reality. Nigeria is underperforming in most areas of productive endeavours including farming. We need to get farms mechanized and develop value addition industries around them. We are yet to transition to the industrial era when other nations are already exiting the era for more sophisticated ones. We have to feed and provide for adequate local consumption before thinking of producing for export.
The recent announcement regards the much-awaited Super Tucanos ordered from the USA a few years back is a very much welcomed development, these birds are rugged and much equipped and suited for the type of challenges we are facing and their arrival a possible game-changer, from all intents and report it’s a perfect fit for counter-insurgency operations and one of the best worldwide. One of the biggest advantages a sovereign nation has over terrorists and sundry criminals is aerial capability, the state has to assert its Monopoly of violence and show without a doubt its determination to crush any and all threats standing in its way. This opportunity should be utilized to the highest capacity and these bandits and terrorists scorched off the surface of the earth, sent on their homeward journey to go and answer for their crimes without encumbrance and delays. Soft targets need to be majorly protected as they are prone to be kidnapped and used as human shield. The intelligence community should live up to its expectations and get cranking. In these types of situations, civilians and non-criminals should also ensure they stay clear of these criminals to avoid becoming collateral damage for we are too long gone to be encumbered by stubborn civilians cohabiting with enemies of the people and state, we are already in a crunch time and no opportunity to take criminals out should be wasted except when they are found in majorly civilian populations and experts would have the onus to decide the best line of action.
If you ever doubt the depth of the mess we are in and the pervasive nature of this insecurity, the killing of the amiable Army General near the nation’s Federal Capital is a perfect indication as to how hopeless and shameful our situation has gotten. When a general can be mowed down just like that in a non-combat zone, and in no other place than the country’s capital, you know the audacity of these formerly ragtag criminals has gotten fever high. Definitely, this handshake has extended beyond the shoulders. May the gentle soul of General Ahmad rest in peace.
All hands have to be on deck to ensure this situation doesn’t extend any further, for the elastic limit of the masses has long been exceeded. Our Sky Babies should come out to play, let them be resolute and strategic, then baptize these enemies with some laser-guided precision molten lead. It is time to use our hellish fire to dispatch every terrorist to the world beyond.
It is game time Babies!!
‘Posterity shall vindicate the just’
Abdulqadir M. Habeeb, A strategist and IT Professional writes from Kaduna State, Nigeria. And can be reached via habeebajebor@gmail.com