BY SAMINU IBRAHIM,ABUJA
SENATOR MOHAMMED SANI MUSA has bemoaned the state of insecurity in Nigeria, saying the security agencies in Nigeria today put together are not enough to secure the over 200 million Nigerians and foreigners alike.
MUSA, who represents NIGER EAST SENATORIAL zone at the 9th Senate observed that Nigeria security agencies are not well equipped to face the reality of today’s challenges.
Specifically, he said they are not well trained to go in line with the modern security architecture, stressing that they need constant training and regular recruitment if they must make impact in Nigeria.
The lawmaker spoke to select journalists shortly after debate on the security situation in Nigeria at the Senate on Thursday in Abuja.
But SENATOR MUSA emphasised that the current service chiefs have done well within the time, but added that they have to give way for fresh ideas, for men and officers who have ideas on how to tackle the menace and the current challenges of insecurity.
“If they remaining there, they cannot offer anything differently from what they have done, therefore there is need to bring in fresh blood” he said.
He explained that the level of insecurity in Nigeria has degenerated to the extent that criminals walk freely on Nigeria roads.
Citing specifics, SEN. MUSA narrated how some foreigners rode the same model of motorcycles that bandits are using in their operations in Abuja.
He wondered “There are laws restraining people from riding in certain areas in the Abuja city, but foreigners are unchallenged”
Speaking on the way forward, he advised Nigerians to change their attitude towards issues of security, he recalled that in the past, community leaders ask questions to ascertain the mission of strangers, but lamented that nowadays no one cares even when bandits are in their midst.
“We Nigerians need to change our attitude because in those days when you live in an environment and somebody new comes to that environment, there are people that ask questions, there are people who will want to find out what the person has come to do in the environment, they run a profile check on such individual but today it is not the case.
“Especially in the rural area, you can imagine I gave an example of Tegina where 20,000 persons live in that environment and they have only 8 police officers there. How can 8 officers control 20, 000 residents of such community,”
However, he said the people of Niger state are happy with PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI for ordering the bombardment on bandits in Niger state.
