The reported killing of 20 soldiers in the Nigerian Army camp at Kareto, Borno State, by Islamic fighters and other attacks on military personnel on official duties nationwide constitute a significant threat to the corporate existence of the country. Something must be done fast to ensure that the government does not lose more soldiers to the country’s nefarious activities of criminal elements.

The fact is that the armed forces collectively represent a crucial wall of safety that holds the country in place by their roles of fighting external aggression, armed insurrection, and similar rebellions that can push the country overboard. They are often called out whenever there is an anarchic situation that other security agencies cannot handle. They are the last resort.

the wall of a building goes down, it will take magic for the roof to be left standing. The Nigerian Army must never be allowed to be overwhelmed. When soldiers are killed randomly by criminals, it directly or indirectly undermines the strength of the nation’s armed forces and, thereby, the country’s strength. It is dangerous to allow that to happen; it stokes the fear of anarchy that can jeopardise Nigeria.

To prevent this, the government must wake up to its constitutional responsibility of ensuring the country’s safety of life and property. Already, every armed group is daring the government, launching savage attacks on troops and defenceless civilians, and getting away with the heinous crimes. If this is not stopped, it won’t be easy to guarantee a united and peaceful Nigeria.

Of late, media reports quoted military sources as disclosing that the Islamic fighters, including a car bomber, attacked the Army camp at Kareto, Borno State, leading to the killing of 20 soldiers and the destruction of a military vehicle. The disclosure suggests that the terrorists entered the camp and took control for some time before they were dislodged. It was learnt that altogether, 14 other automobiles were destroyed in the military camp by the invaders.

Though, according to the reports, there was no official confirmation of the casualty figures by the military authorities, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State commiserated with the armed forces over the death of the soldiers. In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, the governor said the attack reminded the state of the callousness of the Boko Haram terrorists.

Similar attacks were perpetrated when six soldiers from the 1st Division of the Nigerian Army, who were on a fighting patrol in Karajo Village in Shiroro Local Government area of Niger State, were killed by terrorists. The military personnel were pursuing some gunmen, who were escaping the onslaught against them when they met their untimely death. Also, five soldiers deployed to enforce peace and protect the citizens during the enforcement of a stay-indoor order by members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) were killed by the separatists at a checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government area of Abia State. The hoodlums burnt the patrol vehicle of the slain soldiers and grounded socio-economic activities around the Aba metropolis.

Earlier this year, some youths surrounded and killed 16 soldiers from the 181 Amphibious Battalion after the security personnel attempted to quell clashes in the Okuama community in Delta State.Two soldiers were also shot dead by gunmen at a checkpoint on the Umuahia-Owerri Road in Ekeneobizi community, Umuahia South Local Government area of Abia State. The soldiers were part of a joint task force codenamed Operation UDO KA, battling to contain the deadly Biafra agitation in the South-East. The attack was reportedly perpetrated by IPOB and its armed affiliate known as Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Being a soldier is indeed very stressful and is replete with serious risks. The military profession exposes personnel to many stressors, including some that are very extreme and more intense than those experienced in other human activities. A pervasive challenge is the physical danger that the security personnel face in combat zones, including injury and death from enemy fire, ambush, explosives and environmental hazards.

As the defender of Nigeria against external aggression and maintaining her territorial integrity, among other similar tasks, the Nigerian Army is a crucial national security agency. When soldiers are killed in the course of defending the nation or fighting a war in other countries, it is understandable in the context of the risks that are known to be associated with being a soldier. But when fellow citizens kill soldiers unjustifiably while the troops are performing their lawful duties, it is akin to fighting a war with the country. It is treasonable, and it should be treated as such. Soldiers are also citizens with families and life ambitions.

Like every other citizen, the Constitution is against killing them unjustly. They deserve to live irrespective of the fact that they have chosen to be in a profession that makes them prone to being killed in their lines of duty. Sadly, many of the soldiers killed so far have met their deaths while maintaining peace or repelling attacks on innocent Nigerians by callous fellow Nigerians.

Nigeria should not lose soldiers to criminals. While the government must provide security and welfare for all Nigerians, soldiers deserve to be on the first line of beneficiaries of that duty. They should be protected against avoidable death. The armed forces must be more strategic to defend themselves first before protecting other Nigerians. After all, soldiers can protect civilians only when they (soldiers) are alive. The government should, therefore, wake up to its constitutional responsibility of making the country safe for people living in Nigeria.

The Director-General of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, DIG Johnson Kokumo (rtd), during a recent visit to the South-West zonal office of the agency in Ado Ekiti, affirmed that the proliferation of arms seriously contributes to the insecurity in the country, vowing to tackle the menace. It should go beyond pledging to a practical move against those in illegal possession of arms and weapons. The government should clamp down on highly placed citizens involved in gun-running, thus facilitating the perpetration of other criminal acts. The government, through law enforcement agencies, should make the country safe now to guarantee its future. (The Guardian)