Addressing The Security Crisis: A Call For Urgent Action

Addressing the Security Crisis: A Call for Urgent Action

By Bala Salihu Dawakin kudu

The security challenges facing Nigeria have reached an alarming level, with the activities of kidnappers, insurgents, and criminals continuing to undermine the nation’s stability. These criminal elements have not only managed to carry out their heinous acts with impunity, but they have also taken advantage of modern technology and social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook to propagate their activities, communicate with their networks, and even boast of their crimes. The fact that they can do so while using registered phone lines to make calls without being effectively tracked or blocked by security agencies is a grave concern.

The digital age has brought about incredible advancements, but it has also provided tools for criminals to operate more covertly and efficiently. The ability of kidnappers and insurgents to open social media accounts and use registered phone lines for communication highlights a significant failure in the country’s security apparatus. This is not just a failure to prevent crime; it is a failure to adapt to the evolving nature of crime in a digital world.

Social media platforms, while useful for connecting people and sharing information, have become breeding grounds for criminal activities. Insurgents and bandits use these platforms to spread propaganda, recruit members, and even communicate with their victims’ families. This unchecked access poses a significant threat to national security. The question that must be asked is: why are these criminals able to use these platforms and communication tools with such ease?

The Nigerian government and its security agencies must take immediate and decisive action to address this issue. The fact that criminals can make phone calls, sometimes internationally, without being tracked or intercepted suggests a lack of effective monitoring systems. Advanced technologies exist that allow for the tracking and monitoring of communication lines, yet Nigeria seems to be lagging behind in implementing these technologies effectively.

Furthermore, the claim by bandits that helicopters visit them to deliver weapons is particularly disturbing. If true, this would indicate not just a failure of ground security, but also a significant breach of airspace control. The origin of these weapons must be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible for such deliveries must be brought to justice. The government must ensure that all avenues for the smuggling of arms are closed off and that air and land borders are vigilantly monitored.

The time has come for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework. This includes not only the adoption of advanced surveillance and monitoring technologies but also the restructuring of the country’s intelligence-gathering operations. Security agencies must be equipped with the necessary tools and training to effectively combat the digital strategies employed by these criminal groups.

Moreover, there must be a concerted effort to ensure that telecommunications companies and social media platforms comply with security protocols that prevent their services from being used for criminal purposes. This could include stricter regulations on the registration of SIM cards and social media accounts, as well as collaboration between the government and tech companies to detect and disable accounts linked to criminal activities.

The failure to address these security challenges poses an existential threat to Nigeria. If the government and security agencies do not wake up to this reality and take the necessary steps to combat these issues, the country could face a catastrophic breakdown of order. This would not only lead to increased violence and instability but could also force Nigerians to seek safety through mass migration—a scenario that would have devastating social and economic consequences.

In conclusion, the Nigerian government must recognize the severity of the situation and act swiftly to restore security and stability. The time for complacency is over. It is imperative that all stakeholders, from government officials to security agencies, work together to close the gaps that allow criminals to operate with impunity. Nigeria’s future depends on it. Failure to act now could mean the end of the nation as we knows it.