The growing problems in our nation
Based on reports released over time by the National Bureau of Statistics which include offence against persons, property, lawful authority and local act; the last 9 years (2008 – 2016) has seen a rise in criminal activity by up to 41.75% across the nation. From time to time, spreading from one location to another, security breaches have resulted in unfortunate circumstances such as robbery, rape, physical abuse, kidnapping, terrorism, and in extreme cases, manslaughter.
Some states especially in the North and South Eastern part of Nigeria, have been heavily hit by terrorism in the last several years. Extremist groups like the Fulani Herdsmen have filtered into the present day Nigeria news of eventualities and the reportage has been quite heavy over the years. Although, some Northern and Southern states have been affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, the recent occurrence at Ozubulu has left the nation and people of Anambra state in shock as gunmen forced their way into a Church on a killing spree leaving members of the congregation dead and others injured. So far the perpetuators have not been brought to justice.
Anambra in the past – Bakassi (1999 – 2006)
Back in 1999, there was unrest in Aba, Abia state and insecurity was high. The markets were becoming targets for robbers who went as far as to kill their target. The turning point came when a pregnant woman was killed by armed robbers near the market in Aba. This incident birthed the Bakassi Boys, which was formed by the Shoe Makers’ Association in Ariaria market to defend themselves against criminals. They ventured on their own, taking down suspected criminals and later turned the group into a more permanent organisation. They succeeded in ridding Ariaria market of criminals, and news about them spread across neighbouring areas which led to a move for them to extend to other cities. These cities included Umuahia, Owerri and Onitsha.
Before the Bakassi boys came to Onitsha in Anambra State, the traders had previously had an association called the Onitsha Amalgamated Traders’ Association (OMATA), which had set a vigilante group known as OMATA Security. The group was later replaced by another group with the name OTA (Onitsha Traders Association) which became the antecedent for the Bakassi Boys. OTA grew out of hand and would arrest people with little to no evidence or criminal activity and torture and kill them, sometimes publicly. In July 2000, the traders called on the then Anambra State governor to disband the group.
Later that month, the Bakassi Boys took over in Onitsha and they were celebrated. They were recognized by the Anambra State government and in August of 2000, the government passed a law officially establishing them by the name, Anambra State Vigilante Service.
A power struggle took place between the Anambra State Government and the traders association. The traders wanted to run the Bakassi Boys as an independent vigilante group while the state government wanted to handle their finances. The governor changed the name of the group from the Bakassi Boys, to the Anambra Vigilante Services and set laws in place to enable the governor to appoint the chairman and three other members of their committee. The traders were not pleased with this and aired their grievances with the governor. This resulted in the arrest of several of their members and their chairman. They were detained for about a week.
As time went by, this caused a lot of friction and a greater divide formed. The Bakassi Boys, – though originally from Aba, Abia state, as they migrated to these various places to hand out ‘justice’ – added new members to the group. As they were not all originally from Abia State, they were classified as ‘fake’ and ‘not authentic’, while the group in Aba, Abia state was classified as ‘original’.
Although some might find the reason behind the group originally to be ‘noble’ and coming from a need to protect themselves and their community, it is no argument the dark part they went down along the way abusing their power and strength. They went from vigilantes fighting the good fight, to becoming a terror group.
Anambra under Gov. Obiano
The Home for All and Light of the Nation, under the governance of Willie Obiano, has been clawing its way out of the status-quo and stereotype associated with the State’s security with a view to making it safe.
Up until a few years back, Anambra was a State highly regarded for its commercial activities, but also known for its notoriety, making headlines that cast a negative light on the state. Now, Anambra prides itself as one of the safest States in Nigeria as a result of efforts by the current administration to instil peace in the state.
Travellers that transit through the popular commercial city of Onitsha have testified to its new ambiance of crime-sanitized state. Residents beam with excitement each time they get a chance to talk about the new state of security in Anambra.
Months after Gov. Obiano had been sworn into office, he organised a security summit which has in attendance, a security expert he flew in from Israel and members of security agencies in Anambra State, who came together with the unifying thought of purging the State of all criminal elements to ensure the safety of the State residents.
The security summit brought about the Operation Kpochapu, which means Operation Clean up. It comprised of all security agencies including Police, Army, Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Customs, among others. Its purpose, as the word suggests, was to fish out armed robbers, kidnappers, drug dealers and other criminals responsible for perpetuating criminal activities in the state. And to a large extent, they did.
Gov. Obiano even went ahead to convene a security conference for the South East States and Delta State to sensitize and share security tips and strategies he had adopted in his state that had worked.
Obiano at the conference said: “We are here to ask how long we shall continue to fall to the barrel of the gun, pointed at us by our own people. Our ability to answer that question will determine how well we will live. Here in Anambra State, we have done what we should do by fighting criminals to a standstill. By doing so, we have secured the State and investors are happier coming here. We have attracted 2.4billion USD investments, and we have experienced liberty here, but our freedom will remain incomplete if the criminals we drive away here will find refuge in other states in the region.”
Gov. Obiano, at the start of his administration, had procured over 100 security cars fitted with speed detector, speed gun and alcohol detector and other security gadgets for the police. He also invested in other security gadgets like walky-talkies, etc.
The state had been regarded as safe and secure through his tenor up until the incidents that took place that left the country in shock.
The Ozubulu Twist
The incident that occurred on 6 August in St. Philips Catholic Church in Amakwa, Ozubulu, Ekusogo Local Government Area of Anambra State, is a tragedy that saw members of the community who gathered together to partake in the Morning Mass gunned down and injured over a yet-to-be-determined cause. According to an official statement by the Catholic Church of Nnewi, 13 congregants were killed in the attack while 22 were injured. The perpetuators are still at large.
Seven days after the attack on St. Philips, another church was targeted. Due to the Police force guarding the premises, the culprits could not get into the church. Unfortunately, the Policemen then became the target of a terror attack.
There is no fact to support or dissuade if the two incidents were linked and performed by the same group.
Gov Obiano has said that Anambra remains a safe State, despite the attack by unknown gunmen on in the church. Despite the reassuring words of their governor, the incident will consistently replay in the minds of the Anambra people as their safety bubble that they have come to appreciate has been shot literarily.
Yet, the problems are still here
This type of incident is unfortunately not new to our beloved country. Crimes against humanity are being carried out in various places, Churches are being bombed, and townspeople are being slaughtered for no substantial reason.
The country crime statistics is at an all-time high with over 45,554 cases recorded against persons; rape, manslaughter, physical abuse among others.
The country as a whole has a long way to go to be on par with the rest of the world. The government, with the help of its citizens, can make these changes happen. It starts with the little things which will spread to positively impact everyone.
We all have a role to play
Ultimately, the responsibility of securing a nation is that of the government. In this clime, whether that is being done effectively or not is a subject for another day. But beyond that, everyday realities stare us all in the face. And the more you look at it, the more you realise that everyone is responsible for our collective security as a nation. The individual has a role to play in being adequately aware of what he or she needs to do for security-consciousness. At the household level, families and guardians have a role to play in protecting the small units under them. Organisations and communities also have roles to play towards the sensitization of the people under their watch. Consequently we as individuals each have roles to play. One must continually ask: what am I doing? How can I help?
As a nation, we must all begin to take security of our persons, family and assets very seriously. The reality is that security has evolved over the years as there exists various innovative products and services that can provide one with a heightened sense of safety and peace of mind. These solutions have been tried and tested over time.
