THE FORMATION AND ARMING OF LOCAL CIVIL GROUPS INTO SECURITY OUTFITS BY SOME STATE GOVERNORS IN NIGERIA; A BLESSING OR A CURSE?

In recent times and ever since the Nigerian military gave way to democratic governance, many states of the federation have experienced series of local and civil security outfits formed from the civilian populace and armed to the teeth by different state administrations. These moves have always been backed by reasons ranging from state governments’ determination to tackle insecurity, increase community surveillance, and enhance protection of lives and property and so on.

The surprising thing is that most of these groups are armed with sophisticated lethal weapons that personally I may not even classify as light arms. When I look at the rate at which every new administration calls young men together to train and arm them, I simply ask myself – what then would be the role of the Nigerian Police and other constitutionally recognized security agencies in the country?

In just less than one year of a particular state administration in Nigeria, I saw the emergence of not fewer than 3 different security formations with same mandate to protect lives and property of the citizens. All these groups were armed with patrol vehicles, short-guns, assorted rifles, bullet proofs, radio message walkie-talkie and some other gadgets. I would not be surprised if these groups were handsomely paid because judging from their operational enthusiasm, one would rate them high.

During the ceremonial launch of one of these civil security outfits, they group was admonished to work hand-in-gloves with the Nigerian Police and other government security agencies. Unfortunately, barely few months into their operational existence, the civil public started complaining about this group being used by the rich and the privileged few to intimidate people and settle personal disputes. They became arrogant to the public, wielded their weapons carelessly and ply the roads with the highest level of impunity and disregard for the law.


Some Local Security Outfits

Of course, they may still be working closely with the Police but to the dissatisfaction of the populace whose civil rights were breached at will by these security or “insecurity miscreants”. Suffix it to say that the aim of ever setting up such a group or groups were defeated or were they really instruments of power disguisedly formed by the political class in the state to oppress any form of civilian or political opposition? Would we then say that the formation and arming of these civil groups into security outfits have become a blessing or a curse to the State and the country in general?

State governments in Nigeria should know that no group or outfit can rob the Nigerian Police of its constitutional right to protect and save lives and property of the citizens of this country. Should there be need to set up any complimentary outfit, the latter should be trained to effectively work in synergy with the Police without dangerous weapons. Such weapons should be exclusively reserved for the police, the Nigerian military or other security agencies constitutionally empowered to carry arms. The job of the civil or local security groups should be centered more on security data collection, information sharing with the Police and civil intelligence. The Nigerian Law does not permit any civilian to use arms to arrest or intimidate another. Only the Police or the military issues warrant of arrest and that should be respected by all and sundry.

It is disheartening to note that most of these groups eventually fallout with the government and some of their members, regrettable take to crime. They employ skills learnt from their years of handling guns and other weapons to unleash mayhem on the civil society. The consequence is the untold high rate of crime and insecurity in the Nigerian society. Some of these groups also serve as political thugs during general elections having sworn allegiance to the incumbent administration seeking another term in political offices. Let us not forget that it was the same incumbent administration that made them what they had become.

Nigerians need to learn from their past mistakes. Lives have been lost and property not able to quantify lost as a result of the fallout of such groups in the past. Resources spent on forming and arming such civil groups should be rechanneled towards strengthening the Nigerian Police, the military, other security agencies and their collaborative intelligence gathering capabilities. State Governors should learn to do the right thing by promoting continuity and the rule of law. The time to change for better is now!