That Nigeria is like a time bomb waiting for further provocations to explode is not an overstatement. This is further rubber-stamped by various insecurity situations in the country which have crippled economic activities and adversely affected all facets of the economy, as well as instill fear in majority of Nigerians who have already developed health challenges due to stories in both foreign and local media that Nigeria is turning to Afghanistan and Syria in the Middle East.

Even as authorities who are overlords and rulers in Nigeria, downplay on security challenges in the country, fact remains that Nigeria, a country with over 200 million people is headed for explosion if the overlords or better still the Federal government of Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari do not act to stem the tide of insecurity in the country which has taken a new dimension since year 2021 began.

This stems from the fact that Nigeria, once a peaceful country, has suddenly turned into a nation where citizens hardly go about their normal and legitimate businesses. Nigeria has become a country where the citizenry can no longer sleep with two eyes closed without hearing of Bandit's escapades, Boko Haram Insurgents, Kidnappings among other groups that have sworn to make Nigeria uncomfortable.

Indeed, apprehensions in the country have placed Nigeria as a country that is grappling with security challenges as well as one where nationals from other countries cannot venture for business, tourism among others. Of course the implication is that Nationals from countries of the World are now afraid to visit Nigeria which also has negative effects on the economy of the country.

Abductions in the country, maiming, killing of innocent people by bandits, attacks on security formations are enough to deter investors from doing business in Nigeria. Yet today, the Federal Government continues to complain about the devastating effects of the insecurity situations. Why won't the situation have a negative impact on the economy when the situation has lingered for too long without any hope in sight?

In truth and in all fairness, the overlords and government at the centre, have shown through their statements and actions that they do not have the balls to stem the tide of abductions, banditry, attacks on security formations among others. This is further buttressed by their inability to go after the perpetrators, despite the fact that their statements, suggest knowledge of their hideouts.

If actually the hideouts are known, what is stopping the overlords or Federal Government from clamping down on them and deploying technology like drones so as to save the masses and populace from the hypertension suddenly developed overnight? Without sounding hasty, it will not be a false claim, if Nigerians concur that the overlords actually know the perpetrators of these crimes and appeal to bandits to sheath their sword. Of course, the long silence of the overlords and their quick response to suggestions of concerned Nigerians on ways to combat the menace of insecurity, leaves one wondering at their innocence in the quagmire.

This brings me to another point, which is the idea of negotiating with bandits or kidnappers for release of their captors. In developed countries like United States of America, it is an aberration and misdemeanour for Government no matter the situation, to negotiate with terrorists, but in Nigeria, such practice is seen as a common thing, a way of life, which definitely propels these enemies of the state, to abduct more with the hope that Government will definitely do their biddings. While such a hard line on terrorists is working in developed countries, the overlords in Nigeria today are yet to take such hard decisions.

As insecurity challenges in the country take an alarming and dreadful shape, it is germane, that the overlords, listen to the advice of well meaning Nigerians and past leaders, and put an end to the continuous engagement of bandits, abductors, kidnappers through their intermediaries. Their innocence can only be proved, if they go after these miscreants who have brought shame, pity, diminished the Nigerian nation and her people in the eyes of the global community.

While I sympathise with the families of those that have lost loved ones through abductions, banditry, kidnappings among others, it is also imperative, to remind the overlords, that the blood of these innocent men and women who have died as a result of their carelessness, clueless administration, political statements, rest on their heads. It is also pertinent to advise the overlords in case they do not know, that those acting as intermediaries between them and the bandits, should be properly glenned with a view to ascertaining their relationship with these groups.

The clock is indeed ticking for the overlords to prove their innocence in all the insecurity challenges in the country by going after these enemies of the state in order to forestall breakdown of law and order which Nigeria is tilting towards. Nigeria is too big for a group of individuals, to hold to ransom, the overlords, must act to redeem their tattered and battered image.

(Written By Izuchukwu Nwokoma, A Public Affairs Analyst and Journalist).

Watching intently...