Bandits Being Treated With Kid Gloves, Says Sagay

0

Former Chairman of the Presiden­tial Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), has criticised the Federal Government’s approach to tackling insecurity, saying bandits and other criminal elements are being treated with “kid gloves.”

Speaking with Daily Independent on Sunday, Sagay said the country has not deployed its full security ca­pabilities against insurgents, bandits and other criminal groups terroris­ing parts of the nation.

According to him, the govern­ment must adopt a more deliberate and aggressive strategy in address­ing the security challenges confront­ing the country.

“We need a very deliberate de­ployment of our resources towards the fight against insecurity. There is no reason why we cannot deploy our military, police and even the Depart­ment of State Services (DSS) in all the areas where we have incidents of insecurity, particularly in the North and other parts of Nigeria,” he said.

The senior advocate argued that the fight against insecurity has so far been handled in a casual and half-hearted manner, warning that such an approach would continue to embolden criminal elements.

“It is a question of conscious­ness and being deliberate in dealing with the issues, not in this casual, half-hearted manner that it has been handled so far,” Sagay stated.

He expressed concern that a relatively small number of bandits and criminals have been able to create widespread fear and insta­bility across the country, despite the resources available to the Nigerian state.

“I don’t see a reason why a mi­nority of bandits and criminals should overwhelm the country the way they are if we are conscious and prepared to meet them and suppress them,” he added.

Sagay maintained that the gov­ernment has yet to fully deploy the power of the state against criminal groups, insisting that stronger action is needed to restore security and pub­lic confidence.

“In my view, they are being treat­ed with kid gloves so far. We have not deployed the proper power of the state against them,” he said.

Babarinsa Knocks FG Over Futility Of NIN, BVN, Voter Cards

Meanwhile, veteran journalist and media executive, Dare Baba­rinsa, has expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the country, questioning the effec­tiveness of various national iden­tification systems in tracking and apprehending criminals.

Babarinsa’s reaction followed the reported abduction and killing of General Rabe Abubakar (rtd.) by bandits in Katsina State.

In a statement posted on Sun­day, the former Executive Director of TELL Magazine and current Chairman/Managing Director of Gaskiya Media Limited described the incident as a national tragedy and a national disgrace.

According to him, the murder of the retired army officer, who served the nation for nearly three decades, highlights the growing challenge of insecurity confronting the country.

“General Abubakar Rabe, who retired from the Nigerian Army after almost three decades in the service of our beloved nation, was captured and murdered by criminals. He was not killed in battle, but by evil cow­ards,” Babarinsa stated.

He noted that while the de­ceased’s widow, who was reported­ly held captive alongside him, was eventually released, the perpetrators remain at large.

“The criminals mercifully released his corpse and freed his grieving widow, who was in captivi­ty with him. Yet these criminals are still walking on this land as invisible spectres,” he said.

Babarinsa questioned the rel­evance of existing identification systems, including the Bank Veri­fication Number (BVN), National Identity Card, Voter’s Card and Driv­er’s Licence, if they are unable to aid security agencies in identifying and tracking criminal elements.

“We need to know that all these are happening in a land where we have driver’s licence, voter’s card, BVN and national identity cards. What is the purpose of all these if criminals are still so free to operate?” Babarinsa queried.

The media practitioner called on the Federal Government to pay clos­er attention to the security challeng­es in Katsina State and other parts of the country affected by criminal activities.

He warned that the country must not allow criminal elements to un­dermine public safety and create an atmosphere of fear among citizens.

“The Federal Government should take keen interest in the ma­cabre drama unfolding in Katsina State.

“It is a national tragedy and a na­tional disgrace. We must not allow criminals to turn our country into the land of fear,” Babarinsa added.