Indeed security template is usually the guiding spirit in drafting operational code. This is what operational leaders like war commanders and other security agencies describe as operational order or operational procedure which is strictly adhere to when carrying out laid down instructions for the operation before personels are briefed about the operation and then deployed for the operation proper.
When security plans are being drafted in cognisance of the operational template which takes care of the standard operational procedure. Every security agency have security template which has standards operational procedure and guideline. This are broken down into mission, administration and execution. This template recognises all the nitty-gritty of the security problem like terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of insecurity around the country.
Unfortunately what we have today in some of the security agencies is a total summersault of policies and security template.
Painfully, as l was concluding the second part of this topic, the news about the killing of the sixteen soldiers in Delta State went viral and had further exposed the truth that all is not well with our security operational template. Even as the entire country stood United in condemning the dastardly act of the misguided youths of the community in Delta state, there are salient points sorrunding the killing of the soldiers it needs to be thoroughly investigated to be able to unravel the motive for their action .
According to Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, “Troops from 181 Amphibious Battalion, were sent for a “peace mission”to the Bomadi region, to respond to the conflict in the Okuoma community when they were armed ambushed by armed youths and were killed.” adding, that “The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, with the commanding officer, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers,” although the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had also condemned the killing . Both the president and the The Chief of Defence has already called for thorough investigation and the arrest of those behind the dastard act. “So far, a few arrests have been made while steps [are] in place to unravel the motive behind the attack,” it is a known fact that clashes usually occur during compensation for oil spills by energy companies in many Delta state communities. One question one the lips of many security observers why was the military deployed to a civilian community inside the country when we have mobile police and other well trained security personnel. Also why were many senior military officers deployed to maintain peace in these communities when there are police area command and stations in these areas? So, why were the police not invited afterall, that is their constitutional duty. We should also find out who amongs the warring communities have closer link and connection with the military. It is a known fact that some of the civilian population would rather prefer the police to handle their disputes unless such aggrieved persons would want to use the soldiers as intimidation agency. It is on record that soldiers have been invited into a civil misunderstanding just for one party to show their superior connection and unfortunately, some soldiers have been accomplices to these trend. More questions need to be raised pertaining the activities of the hoodlums who perpetrated this dastardly massacre. Who is their ring leader?. Who among the community leaders have access and relationships with the youths, thereby influencing their negative action? Why it is very important to fish out the perpetrators,it is suggested in security circles that the investigation should be handled by selected crack detectives from the Force criminal investigation department (fcid) and other security agencies like the Directorate of a state security(DSS) and the Directorate of military lntelligence (DMI). Sequel to the national importance of the criminal case, the investigation ought to be coordinated by the national security adviser to the president. While the investigation is on going, I think that the media department of the military should embark on a nation wide sensitisation of the youths to understand the actual role of the military in national unity. Such sensitisation move should start from from all all levels of educational institutions including communities. It is hope that the military should henceforth desist from intervening into little “communal clashes” that can be handled by either the police or other security agencies.
History recalls that the use of military in community clashes does not go well for the institution. The constitution clearly empowers the Nigeria police to appropriately handle any community issue, this issues are supposedly internal security issues and the police is adequately empowered to handle them, however where the police is incapable or overwhelmed then it is expected that with the approval of the President can the military be deployed to such insecured area. Today the war against insurgency has forced the military to overshoot its course thereby delving unrestrained into every area of the country with simple security issues that the police could have effectively handled.
Such military interventions were the police could have handled usually raises dust between members of the public and the security agencies, in other countries the military is always shielded from public assault by not deploying them often to civil unrest areas. Based on the account of the military their intervention which they christened “peace mission” should be further investigated, also to be thoroughly investigated are the community leaders and traditional rulers who are ready to soil their hands where issues of money sharing is concerned. It is therefore hoped that these unfortunate incident would not rear up again as the country put all its arsenals together to end terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal clashes around the country, so that our military can have a bow back to the barracks while the police supretend over the civil populace and this will end the vicious circle that has affected the development and progress of the country.
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Happy Ramadan and Happy Easter
To all readers of SECURITY FILE as we celebrate the festivity please be security conscious at home on the highway and public places, report any security issues to the nearest police station or call Police control room (08057000008)
(CONCLUDED)