By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar rtd, has expressed serious concern over the growing level of insecurity in the country.
Abubakar decried the tendency for political actors to seek to construct a political capital from the country’s security challenges.
In a statement to commemorate his 84th birthday, Abubakar sued for concerted efforts to defeat the country’s security challenges.
While acknowledging the near global nature of insecurity at the moment, the former Nigerian leader who midwifed the current Fourth Republic, insisted that with adequate sacrifices and commitment, insecurity will be defeated.
As a former Head of State who has been part of several peacekeeping missions, General Abubakar emphasized the imperative of unity of purpose, and unwavering commitment in the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminalities.
While acknowledging the commitment, dedication and sacrifices of security agencies in the fight against insurgency, the former Head of State emphasized the need for all citizens to join hands to ultimately arrest the situation.
“It is clear that the task of attaining this objective (defeating insurgency) must be inclusive.
“The armed forces and all other security agencies have been very strong in the fight against terrorism. But this is not their fight alone.
“Every citizen has a stake, and it is my plea that Nigerians unite to fight against terror”, he stated.
General Abubakar blamed the worsening security challenges, as well as its seemingly intractable nature on politicisation, noting that divisive rhetorics and selfish interests have combined to weaken efforts at addressing the challenge.
According to him, politicians over the years have been perceiving the country’s security challenges as political bargaining chips.
“Over the years, politicisation of security matters has worsened the situation, and this has brought us to where we are today.
“Let us join forces with Government, and security agencies at all levels to defeat these evil ones who do not recognise ethnicity, religion, political party, communal life or other forms of identity.
“Propaganda for political and other selfish gains is also giving oxygen to terrorist groups, even as the use of fake news on social media to propagate false narratives has served to encourage terrorists and other criminal groups.
“The success of one terrorist group encourages another, and unless we have a rethink, we will continue to promote this crisis”, General Abubakar warned.
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