Declaration of national emergency by Tinubu overdue: Ahmad Sajoh

Ahmad Sajoh, former information commissioner in Adamawa, says the national security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu requires commitment and political will from all stakeholders for maximum results.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Mr Sajoh welcomed the declaration, describing it as long overdue.

“A national emergency on security is long overdue. A lot of us have advocated for it several times. It is a step in the right direction.

“The recruitment of additional policemen, forest guards and giving a legal framework for state police will surely bridge the gap in the existence of ungoverned spaces across the country, especially the vast lands of the North.

“However, all these measures cannot achieve much if not backed by political will and the use of modern technology,” Mr Sajoh said.

He also lauded the move to address herder-farmer conflicts caused by open grazing but called for proper enlightenment of the parties involved.

“In the case of open grazing, any desire to end open grazing must be addressed by a new orientation process for the herders across the country,” he said.

Regarding the recent incidents of students’ kidnappings, Mr Sajoh lauded the safe rescue of the victims but cautioned on the growing practice of negotiating with bandits by the governments and communities in the North.

“Bandits and kidnappers are criminals. The government does not talk to bandits; they should be arrested or neutralised.

“In treating them with kid gloves, what the government is doing is emboldening them. We know they use human shields. We know the government is afraid of collateral damage.

“Yet, they need to be eliminated, not treated to a negotiated settlement,” Mr Sajoh said.

According to him, the ongoing isolated negotiations with bandits by some communities should be discouraged.

Mr Sajoh said, ”This is because it’s not just a capitulation to the bandits but an open admittance that the government lacks the capacity to protect its citizens.

“That is a dangerous narrative that should not be allowed to gain momentum within the public space. The government must address this issue urgently.

“Both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches could be applied, but greater emphasis should be placed on the use of force. It’s the only language that can give confidence to the citizens that the government has the power to protect them.”

Also speaking through his Facebook page, a security analyst, Bulama Bukarti,  expressed satisfaction with Tinubu’s declaration and urged sustained action.

He said, “I’m pleased to hear that President Tinubu has declared a national security emergency. But this must go beyond a symbolic announcement. It should be followed by decisive, sustained action to degrade the repugnant armed groups wreaking havoc across our country.

“What we need now is a radical overhaul of our security strategy, one that empowers and mandates our forces to take the fight directly to these terrorists in their enclaves.

“That is the only way to stop them from attacking our schools, places of worship and other civilian spaces. It is the only path to defeating them.”

(NAN)