By ISIBOR BISH
The present COVID 19 pandemic ravaging the entire globe has left the world helpless owing to the inability for the discovery and production of a vaccine to stop this rampage.
Nigeria as a country is already speculated to run into economic hardship soon, due to the rush by the Federal Government adding more debt load on the country in the name of emergency fund from the IMF and more so the closure of trades and movement between countries has also facilitated a revenue break coupled with the swinging backward of oil price in the international market.
The economic impact on the country will certainly give a ripple effect of untold hardship on the citizenry which will necessitate a hunt for survival.
The crime world is perceived to be quiet but will bounce back soonest but the question now is “Are the security agencies prepared for this?”, ” Are they conscious of the fact that many jobs having been lost and these jobless individuals are finding next alternatives?”, “Are they aware that most small criminals have upgraded their skills and abilities during these trying times? and “Are they noticing a hunt for weapons by these criminal elements?.
Government and security agencies should as a matter of urgency step up their games with the same zeal they are applying in stabilizing the economy because we may soon witness rise in kidnappings, assassinations, armed robberies, house burglaries and various degree of crimes.
The recent killings of police officers with their riffles taken away in Udu and Okpe in two different incidents in Delta state shows the current scouting for guns and prove that there is present plans by crime perpetrators.
The country should as a matter of fact put proactive security measures and policies to avert the expected such as;
(I.) Fast track economy policies that will rescue the expected economic predicament.
(2.) Intelligence agencies should provide accurate and timely intelligence to action agencies(Nigeria police force,NSCDC,Nigeria custom etc).
(3). Security agencies are advised to carry out raids on areas suspected to host criminals as this will destabilize their plans.
(4). Government should halt retrenching of workers by the private sector.
(5). Patrols and checkpoints personnel should be brief on the need to be more vigilant at their various locations.
(6). Security officers attached to Individuals who are not entitled for security escort should be withdrawn immediately as more hands are needed on deck…
ISIBOR BISH, WRITES FROM SAPELE, DELTA STATE.
