On the lips of most Nigerian elites today is the unbridled call for Nigerians to defend themselves ( individually and / or collectively).
On the surface, this call appears genuine and sincere from those advocating it and the believability of its efficacy is with the least of all doubts.
The call for self defense has been coming from the high and mighty of the elite class especially from those who have either served, advised or still serving with ( assumed) high competences on security matters, hence they cannot even be invited to provide detailed strategies for the call.
Beyond the gullibility of accepting this call hook line and sinker, it is a wonder why someone enjoying personal security or aides paid with tax payers fund would be in a hurry to advocate ‘defend yourself’ strategic at this time.
It goes without contradiction that insecurity in our land is multi dimensional and these elite advocates of defend yourself are fully aware of both the implications and limitations of such advocacy.
Of particular mention is the nature and profile of such operations and their sophistication.
If every Nigerian is on same pedestal of insecurity exposure, it would be easier and more rational to make such calls and expect compliance.
Some discerning minds would ask, defend yourself with what; arms or empty hands given the sophistication of the attacks.
It is an undeniable reality that anyone going to equity must go with clean hands.
The sincerity of this call would demand that every Nigerian is denied personal security or aides paid from taxpayers funds.Why would some people enjoy personal security while others do not yet we all operate within same geographical space and environment. It is difficult to convince any discerning mind of the superiority classification of people of same country and make such advocacy.
A call to serve should not confer such superiority advantage.
From local government officials to Federal level, even private sector offcers, all enjoy private security arrangements for their movements and other logistics.
I had mentioned in my previous write ups that we all come from one ancestral village/ community or the other and there are 774 local government areas with villages across the country.
If every elite in collaboration with his respective ancestral communities devotes time, energy and resources to ensuring adequate security in their respective communities, I do not think these strangers to such communities who are limited in number ( population) would overcome such local security architecture and arrangements whenever any attack occurred. Our elite class only believe in their personal security arrangements funded directly or indirectly by public sources.
We have all abandoned our communities and exposed them to attacks at the slightest provocations. They are now unduly exposed to strangers who constantly succeed with every attack.
All security personnel/ / aides attached to individuals and organizations should be withdrawn and this would make sense for the call -“ Nigerians Defend yourself “ The lamentations of travelers on our roads is difficult to believe without experiencing it.
Maybe, after such an experience, those making such advocacy would make a rethink and be more realistic in their submissions.
By
Prof. Frank Amagwu, Ph.D, FCNA, FCCSA (USA), HCIB,
NB… watch out for the concluding part.
