Danger of politicizing national security advisory

The security advisory issued by the Nigerian Federal government through the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to Nigerians traveling to some western countries, such as U.S., U.K etc, on account of perceived high crime rate, raises the question of its objective, and the need to apply caution in handling the matter to avoid its seeming politicisation.

This advisory appears to be a reciprocal treatment to the one given by the U.S. and U.K. over anticipated imminent attacks by insurgents on Abuja in November, which led to evacuation of their staff.

Similarly, the Ghanaian government had stated that it did not authorize the security alert issued to Ghanaians in Nigeria and those wishing to visit Nigeria against traveling to Abuja and other places by their Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration. The Government did not deny the statement, which meant that they stood by it, but they didn’t want to offend the government of Nigeria.

The Ghanaian Government may have latched on a similar statement issued by the United States, Britain, Canada, and other Western powers about intelligence reports of the imminent attack on several vulnerable places, like foreign missions in Abuja, Lagos, shopping malls, markets, night’s clubs, major hotels and other parts of Nigeria.

What the Americans did, even if we may question the authenticity of the intelligence report, is perfectly in order and the interest of their people. Every country must protect its citizens from harm. Without politicizing the issue, it is important to state that every reserves the right to protect its citizens anywhere in the world.

This recent alarm by the United States should be seen not as an unfriendly act but in keeping with American policy of caring for their citizens facing potential hazards wherever they may be.

It is also a wake-up call that the international community is increasingly getting fed up with the endless war against insurgency, terrorism, banditry, secessionists, kidnappers, and other violent extremists plaguing Nigeria.

Nigerians, who feel insecure at home, did not have to wait to be told to vote with their feet. Some have perished in the deserts and the Mediterranean sea in search of security and a better life abroad. At the same time, according to this newspaper, high-networth individuals are being wooed by foreign countries offering them citizenship and residency in their countries. Countries like Canada, United Arab Emirates, and the Caribbean Islands.

These wealthy Nigerians are believed to have invested $600 million (N438 billion) in about 800 properties in UAE as they flee the insecurity and uncertainty at home. The U.S. and the international communities are telling us to secure our country through hearts and might as contained in our National Anthem.

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It is also a clear message to the Buhari Administration to step up and end the country’s existential threats. The Americans can rightly be accused of spreading fear, mischief, and hypocrisy. Such accusations are valid because America has never given Nigeria sufficient assistance to deal with these security threats, some directly or remotely, due to American foreign policy choices and foreign misadventures.

Since February this year, the United States has given military assistance worth $15 billion to Ukraine to defend their country against Russian aggression. America devotes billions of dollars to her allies like Egypt and Israel in its annual budget. The United States has never extended a fraction of such a gesture to Nigeria.

Under the Obama Administration, citing Nigeria’s poor human rights record, especially the armed forces, the United States refused to allow Nigeria to buy the weapons needed to fight Boko Haram terrorism. That action was despicable and misguided, and discriminatory. The U.S does not apply the same policy to countries like Saudi Arabia. Pakistan and other states in the Middle East with egregious human rights problems.

Ironically, it was the Trump Administration, an unlikely friend of Nigeria, that approved the sale of arms to Nigeria. Although the Biden Administration has not changed the policy, they ensured that we paid cash for the arms even when Nigeria was told where to use them and where not to.

If Biden Administration and other Western powers are really interested in a mutually beneficial relationship and the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, they should support Nigeria to restore peace and consolidate democracy in Africa’s most populous country as a matter of enlightened self-interest.

The outgoing Buhari Administration should also brace up and give all that is necessary to the Armed Forces and other security agencies to consolidate the ongoing efforts of the military to restore peace in the country and to reassure the international community that Nigeria is safe. Security is necessary to guarantee a peaceful environment for a free and fair election next year.

We believe only a safe and secure country can truly expect foreign investment and peaceful development. Nigeria must wake up and face the reality that we have become the laughingstock of other countries, including our neighbour, Ghana. The next general election would determine the future stability of the nation.