The Nigerian intelligence agencies have the primary duty of protecting citizens from internal and external threats, but they have let down Nigerians again, this time in Plateau State.
Development Diaries reports that armed men operated for hours, moving from one village to another in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas (LGAs), as over 100 citizens were killed and houses burnt.
It is understood that the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has directed the dispatch of officers and equipment to Plateau State to capture the killers. But where were the security operatives during this unfortunate attack?
A violation of the right to life, the attack also raises concerns about the ineffectiveness of Nigeria’s policing system, which focuses more on protecting the elite and government officials while the masses are left to sleep with their eyes wide open.
The attack and killing of Nigerians on the Plateau have again exposed gaps in the country’s intelligence gathering and early warning systems. The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is Nigeria’s main civilian intelligence agency, while the State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), manages domestic intelligence.
The need for Nigerian security operatives, especially the intelligence community, to be proactive is paramount in addressing the country’s myriad of security challenges. By using proactive security measures, law enforcement agencies can foresee and prevent attacks.
Nigeria’s security landscape is dynamic, with criminals constantly evolving their tactics. This is why security operatives need to stay ahead of these changes, but the country’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who manages security on behalf of the president, has done little to address security threats.
On assuming office, President Bola Tinubu promised to implement security measures to curb these attacks. In fact, during his campaign for office, the president promised to set up a specialised anti-terrorist squad to especially protect communities from terrorists, kidnappers, and bandits. Nigerians await its implementation.
Development Diaries, meanwhile, calls for the strengthening of all of Nigeria’s intelligence agencies to be more effective in detecting and preventing attacks.
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