EL-RUFA'I VS GUMI'S APPROACHES
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EL-RUFA'I VS GUMI'S APPROACHES
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
nurudeendauda.blogspot.com
In my thought, no one single approach will end our present security challenges.The phrase "carrot and stick" is a metaphor for the use of a combination of reward and punishment to induce a desired behavior.
In my observation, the solution to our challenges lies in-between the approaches of Governor Nasir Ahmad El- rufa'i and Sheikh (Dr) Ahmad Abubakar Gumi. No doubt Military might is part of the solution but certainly not all about it. But however, In our case the enemy is "strong" which might be "difficult" and or "dangerous" to dialogue with from this stand point. Dialogue might be fruitful only if the enemy is weakened. Let us weakened the enemy before dialogue.
The combination of the said approaches will serve us well but only if we understand the circumstances in different states. Cases in some states are more of banditry while for others are Kidnappings. Dialogue may work for some cases of armed banditry, especially, for those who joined it due to allege cattle-rustling and or "maiming" and "killings" of their cattle without justice from the authorities.
On the other hand, for those who have been making millions within few days from kidnappings as against making 200,000 or 300,000 for a cow annually may hardly revert to normal life. These ones are most likely harden; as such, should be carefully identified for extermination.
In my view, we must understand each situation in each of our states for us to find its solution .The best way to solve our challenges is to understand the fact that there is a " transition " from armed robbery -cattle rustling -armed banditry to Kidnapping. Soon after the civil war, highways armed robbery was the commonness security problem in the country , but with technological changes, armed robbers switched to cattle rustling with which some herdsmen were initiated too.The highway armed robbers soon discovered that kidnappings for ransom is more profitable than cattle -rustling and soon switched to kidnappings for ransom. Some herders too were initiated on this and soon switched to kidnappings too.
In addition, at the point of the height of the menace of cattle-rustling, some herdsmen got armed in order to protect their cattle. Others who lost their cattle to rustling become armed bandits. Another causes of armed banditry is farmers-herders clashes which is especially due to struggle over "land resources" for either grazing or farming. From independence to date both human and cattle population have increased , but the size of our "land" has even reduced due to desertification and or climate change.
We must approach the crisis from firstly, the political front. On this front, cattle rearing which is part of agricultural activities must be supported as a business not as an ethnic thing. The right attention must be given to cattle business. There must be genuine effort at its modernization.
Secondly, the legal front, there must be justice in handling famers-herders clashes. We must work hard towards addressing the allegations of corruption among our judges, village heads and extortion by the local police against both herders and farmers .
Thirdly, the Socio-economic front. The issues of illiteracy, poverty, drug abuse and unemployment have contributed immensely to criminal activities in our society . For us to get it right, the government should and or must pursue deliberate policies towards combating same .
Fourthly, we must properly secure our "forests" which are generally insecured. Our vast unmanned forests in the country serve as hideouts to criminals. Something serious must be done on its. Our porous borders must be properly secured. Let's deploy technology in securing our borders .The NDLEA must be strengthened to do more on the fight against drugs importation which is the energizer to all sorts of crimes.
Fifthly, Small and light weapons are too many in our midst which must be mopped up. We must frustrate its supply to non -state actors . We must properly "kits"our security agencies. Their welfare must be taken very seriously. We must invest more on Intelligence gathering/sharing.It is high time we deploy technology driven approach to security challenges .
May God bless Nigeria
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