The primary responsibility of the government is to protect its citizens, failing to do that, every other achievement can be wiped out by just 2 days of war. Clearly, from the North to the South the State has lost it’s monopoly of violence and a clear strategy on how to retain control on behalf of the citizens.
None State actors can not bring stability. They can deliver blood, the temporary feeling of victory in revenge and counter revenge until the last person standing falls.
It is ONLY the State that should restore its authority by gaining the confidence of the citizens in a war situation. Be consistent in reactions to all the conflicts without any hesitations and resort less on knee jack responses.
The escalation of the conflict in Nigeria will only produce one resolution, endless carnage that will make the Liberian, Syria Leone and Biafra 1 Wars look like a child’s play.
From President Buhari (Who has thus far failed with regards to dealing with insecurity).)to state Governors, local government officials, lawmakers (who pretend like they are not also charged with the responsibilities to create an enabling environment to improve security) to the least person in government across the political and regional divide, a decision needs to be made, to either continue to politicise the crisis, do nothing and wishing the situation will improve or putting differences aside, doing something and putting the safety of the people and Nigeria over and above everything else or watch Nigeria slide into a war that no one can win. Sadly, after the fog of war, it is the very poor in all the nooks and cranny of the country that will end up being sacrificed as they are being sacrificed at present.
In the absence of the State, the people are already resorting to self help, enemies are defined in blury lines and crisis entrepreneurs in government, civil society, religious organisations are smiling to the bank.
Nigeria: Just before the lights are turned off! – By Kayode Ogundamisi
