Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese has said that there is a growing concerns as to the sophistication, professionalism and capacity of the Nigeria security agencies.Â
He stated that years of military involvement has led to the mistaken notion that issues of security were military adding that the guns and bullets approach has seen the growth of corruption, lack of cohesion, collaboration and co-ordination, alongside infighting within the security agencies.
Kukah noted with concern that civilians hear stories of orders from the top at the last minute, about credible intelligence provided but not used by those at the top.
While stressing that people are dying and no one’s job is threatened, Kukah stressed that there was an urgent need to re-set the national security architecture.
He was quoted as saying;
“This culture of investigation as excuses must end. The media and we the people must continue to remind the government of its obligations to be accountable. If investigations are made public and rewards or punishment are carried out, then it builds confidence. It will enable people to become involved in their own security. Only by pursuing, apprehending and bringing these evil men to justice can we begin to speak of a genuine reconciliation among our people”.
The Bishop maintained that bringing criminals to justice is justice to the criminal and justice to the victim too adding that fixing the Nigeria economy is desirable, but it must hang on a rigid security scaffolding to protect citizens and the nation.
The renowned Cleric who said that the youth are fleeing their own country while the elites are fleeing their own communities also lamented that the poor are becoming refugees outside their own communities.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give the citizens back their communities and restore the country.