The last time I checked, Imo was no doubt agog
penultimate week, precisely on Wednesday 14th September 2016. It was
unbelievable, yet very interesting on the said date when hundreds of militants
from the ancient state graciously jettisoned their arms, thereby denouncing
their barbaric faith having embraced the amnesty declared by the governor, Chief
Rochas Okorocha.
The disarmament was reportedly carried
out at the Government House Owerri in the presence of the governor coupled with
other security cum religious stakeholders to include the Commander of
Artillery-34 Brigade of the Nigerian Army – Brig. Gen. Kay Isiyaku, the state’s
Police Commissioner – Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, the state’s DSS Commander and NSCDC
Commandant, as well as a host of distinguished Catholic and Anglican clerics.
Arms surrendered by the different
confraternities namely, the Niger Delta Red Squad, IYC, and the Rescue Force,
included AK-47 rifles, Pump Action guns, local pistols, axes and knives, and
what have you. Gov. Okorocha who assured the teeming repentant militants that
he would take their demands to President Muhammadu Buhari who according to him
would formally declare the amnesty, gave those whom were yet to jettison their
arms one week ultimatum to do so toward avoiding the government’s wrath.
It was painful that I was inevitably absent
when the epochal incident took place; I was in Abuja on that fateful day. I
would have cherished to witness the scenario. When I got the news prior to the
D-day, I was of the view it was a mere joke not until that very day when the
event actually occurred as scheduled. I kept smiling starting from the very
moment I got the phone call that rightly notified me that it was a reality.
Right from then, all I wanted, or cared for, was to embrace Imo once again
towards observing the new countenance of the ever famous state.
To say that Governor Okorocha has done
noble is undoubtedly an understatement; he has indeed done novel. Though I
wasn’t that surprised considering how much the governor has fared ab initio in
security matters, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that this very one is
conspicuously extraordinary. I really appreciate his Excellency for this giant
stride. Since the governor assumed duty as the number one citizen of the highly
revered state, he has proven beyond doubts that he is the Chief Security
Officer (CSO) of the province.
By the recent achievement, I’m sure
other CSOs across the federation, including President Buhari, would gladly wish
to consult him with the aim of receiving guideline on how to tackle militancy
coupled with other forms of societal ills. It’s a thing of honour to any right
thinking individual, especially Imolite.
Lest I forget; we are not unaware the
governor never acted alone. It’s apparent that without the support or efforts
of the various concerned security operatives, the laudable intent wouldn’t have
been a success. Hence, thumb up for CP Lakanu and Brig. Gen. Isiyaku, to be
precise. With this, you have given Imolites additional hope even amidst the
economic recession. You all deserve to be celebrated to the best of my knowledge.
However,
posterity wouldn’t forgive my person if I fail to point at some critical issues
seeking urgent attention. Now that we have succeeded in arriving at this point,
having witnessed series of ungodly acts involving militancy, armed robbery,
cultism, and kidnapping in the state - particularly Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta
LGAs, for quite some time now, it would be ideal for us to address other
crucial issues pertaining to the said security menace.
I
strongly belong to a school of thought that believes that the best way to
eradicate any societal plight is to terminate its rudimentary cause(s). It’s
not anymore news that incidence of militancy is usually attributable to
perceived maltreatment by the actors of the ill, and that of Imo State isn’t an
exception. The leader of the Niger Delta Red Squad in the person of Mr. Jibaa
Chikere otherwise known as ‘Panga’ had reportedly stated during the event of
disarmament that, some of the reasons his men had been vandalizing oil
pipelines in the state was lack of attention to the host communities by the
government and the oil firms.
Though
suchlike reason wasn’t enough for them to take to crime, or be in possession of
arms, it’s imperative to note that the communities in question haven’t gotten a
fair share/portion of their entitlements. The oil firms would end up polluting
as well as constitute other environmental nuisances in their host communities,
but would never make frantic effort to make it up to them. They can’t even
boast of social cum basic amenities such as roads, electricity, potable water,
and hospitals, among others.
The government needs to unequivocally
mandate those oil firms to rise up to their challenge of developing their
respective host communities. Although Gov. Okorocha has already assured the
repentant militants of government’s resolve to address their pressing needs, I
want to use this platform to appeal to all the relevant stakeholders to,
henceforth, take the affected communities very seriously like never before. In
view of this, the amnesty ought to be accompanied with lofty and lucrative
programmes. We can’t continue to live in the past if we are truly ready to
transform some existing things, positively.
So, as much as I immensely appreciate as
well as celebrate the governor alongside the security operatives, I equally
urge him to face the reality squarely towards arriving at a more desired point.
Let’s not abuse this benefit of doubt the insurgents have given to the
government. We may have succeeded in curbing a certain predicament but if the
root causes are still relegated to the background, I’m afraid, the problem is
yet to be solved. Think about it!
Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor
(TheMediaAmbassador)-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-
Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter:
@mediambassador
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