Necessity For Community Response In Combating Terrorism And Related Crimes
By Usman Suleiman Sarki
Over the years, terrorism has been one of the major security threats undermining the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of some states in Nigeria. This can be attested from the series of attacks, suicide bombing, indiscriminate killings, kidnappings and abductions by insurgents’ group and armed bandits in some of the northern states specifically Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states from North Eastern region and Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states from the Northwest region.
This is in addition to bandits’ activities in Niger state and ethno-religious crises in Plateau State both in North-central zone.
The emergence of these criminal groups that engages in various forms of violent crimes in the above mentioned areas has led to loss of many lives, destruction of properties, displacement of thousands of people and disruption of economic, educational, political and social activities among others.
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This necessitated the formation of Joint Task Force (JTF) to fight this menace and restore peace in the affected areas but up to now, the effort has not yield the much desired result. Thus, in an attempt to complement the effort of security agencies and stressing the fact that, security is everybody’s business, some communities in the affected areas have since engaged members of vigilante and also formed a Civilian Joint Task Force so as to help the security forces in identifying and apprehension of suspected terrorists and armed bandits. This is really commendable.
This has helped in the arrest of large number of suspects and liberation of some territories under the control of terrorists which led to the resettlement of many displaced persons back to their ancestral communities.
Considering the impact of community participation in the fight against terrorism, it calls for the need to support the community volunteers (Vigilante and Civilian JTF) by creating an enabling environment for them that will boost their morale in protecting the community.
This can be achieved only if the government provide logistic support and created synergy between the security agencies and the volunteers who work with them. Having this arrangement will make their operations more effective and will ensure adequate protection of lives and properties in the affected areas and beyond.
Looking at the current security situation and the forthcoming 2023 General Elections, there is the need for community members to cooperate and work with security agencies, Vigilante and Civilian JTF especially in gathering and sharing credible intelligence among them.
This cannot be downplayed in as much as there is need for having a secured society where free, fair and peaceful election can be conducted.
Sarki Writes From Department of Sociology (Criminology and Security Studies Programme), Federal University Dutse.
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