By Polycarp Onwubiko
The New Telegraph editorial of September 13, 2024, captioned "Boosting Local Food Production," sharply criticized the federal government for pampering terrorists masquerading as herdsmen, along with their so-called "comrades in arms" who are deceptively labeled as bandits and criminals.
These groups are committing
horrendous atrocities, forming kidnapping syndicates, collecting exorbitant
ransom payments, while security agents act as though they are invisible. They
also rape women and extort taxes from farmers. Meanwhile, the federal
government’s lack of direction and hesitation in addressing security issues
leads Nigerians to believe these groups occupy so-called "ungoverned
spaces."
The editorial stated:
"Firstly, efforts should
be made to tackle frictional factors such as insecurity... and the lack of
application of technology and innovation.
"There should, therefore,
be a direct and forceful confrontation by the federal government against the
long-running insecurity—including Boko Haram terrorism, banditry, and
kidnapping for ransom—that has kept many of our smallholder farmers away from
our fertile fields.
"To succeed, the
long-untouchable sponsors of all forms of insecurity must be identified,
prosecuted, and swiftly brought to justice.
"Deploying state police,
whenever that comes into effect, along with forest guards, could make the
desired difference."
Comment:
President Tinubu's removal of
import duties on food items amounts to a diversionary tactic, distracting from
directly confronting the terrorists masquerading as herdsmen, who were imported
from the Sahel region of West Africa for ethnic cleansing and territorial
expansion to swell the Muslim population in Nigeria. Who is fooling whom?
From his body language,
restructuring the lopsided federation with decentralized security architecture
and a new constitution is nothing but a fairy tale. The country's instability
will persist because the National Assembly, which should be actively engaging
in checks and balances, has instead chosen to be a brazen rubber stamp. Are we
expecting the judiciary—who have received a 300% wage increase—to step up for
good governance? Please, forget Nigeria! We are 'finished.'
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