…Blames Security Operatives Over Attack
By Gbenga Sodeinde
A member of the National Executive Council of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), representing Ado Ekiti branch, Olakami Samuel Falade, has mourn death of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) members, families, and other Nigerians who that lost their lives in the kaduna- Abuja train attack.
Falade also blamed Security operatives for negligence over the Kaduna- Abuja Train attack, saying that the military action after the attack “is like crying after the neck is cut off.”
It was reported that NBA, has lost three of its members, Tibilere Mosugu, Ozigi Lawal and Farida Sulaiman, to the cold hands of death in the attack.
The death of Tibilere Mosugu was confirmed by the NBA Kaduna Branch in an obituary announcement signed by Oguguo C. Anoruo-Enujekwu, publicity secretary of the branch, which prayed for the repose of the lawyer in these words.
A passenger train conveying over 970 passengers was reportedly attacked by suspected terrorists between Rijana and Katari in Kaduna State, on Monday night where many were killed and several others injured.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, had visited the scene of the attack and ordered troops to intensify search and rescue operations, as well as hunting down the terrorists.
The train attack was coming after terrorists, numbering over 200, on Saturday invaded the Kaduna International Airport located in Igabi Local Government Area in Kaduna State, disrupting operation and killing one security personnel of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
While expressing sadness over the deadly attack, Falade frowned at the level of insecurity across the country saying: “where can we say is actually safe in the country?.
“Vehicles are being attacked by kidnappers and armed robbers. The recent attack on Kaduna Airport is already causing panic at the airport as people now goes to the airport with panic”.
Falade said Nigerians were initially feeling secured to travel by train as a better and safe alternative since the palpable insecurity of road transport by vehicle, but he added that:” with the recent happening, it is worrisome and calls for urgent attention.
“In my own opinion, it is the security agencies in Nigeria that lack intelligence capabilities. Poor intelligence gathering by our operatives is the major cause for the inability to nip crime, violence and killings in the bud as is done in more advanced climes.
“Many of the crimes committed and violence recorded could have been averted if the country has a virile intelligence network and greater collaboration, and not rivalry, among the government units tasked with providing security and gathering accurate intelligence reports that would have exposed these daredevils before they strike.
‘’The truth is that it’s very obvious that lack of actionable intelligence gathering and reports are the banes of our current security challenges, and if not properly addressed, then insecurity will continue unabated.
“What I am saying in essence is that the intelligence gathering and security network are totally collapsed and apparently not working. The security architecture is obviously inadequate to secure the country; and it is advisable for the Federal Government to focus full attention on this in other to win the war against insecurity in Nigeria.” He added.
Falade also advised the government on the need to equip all the security agencies the more, with adequate and necessary tools and gadgets they need to do their work, adding that efforts must be made to unify the agencies so they can share intelligence reports.
He therefore, urged the government and security agencies in Nigeria that all hands must be on deck to not only get to the root of the train attack, but to also work harder on intelligence capabilities and also see to incessant train attacks in the northern part of the country.
The legal practitioner also sent his condolences to all the families that were bereaved by the attack, praying that the good Lord will give them the fortitude to bear the irreversible loss.
The NBA EXCO member particularly urged the Federal Government to compensate the bereaved families by offering to give scholarship to the children of the deceased.