Brig-Gen Olumuyiwa Okunowo (rtd) and retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Leye Oyebade have asserted that death by firing squad is the only antidote to effectively combat the rising issues of kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria.
The duo, speaking on “Insurgency, Banditry, and Kidnapping: Saving Nigeria From The Cul-de-sac,” during the monthly interview discourse, BOILING POINT ARENA, outlined two crucial resolutions to address the security challenges plaguing the nation.
Firstly, they called on the Federal Government to urgently establish a specialized security outfit equipped with Forest Guards armed with helicopters, drones, and advanced technology.
They submitted that this force would aggressively dislodge criminals from their hiding places across the country.
Secondly, Okunowo and Oyebade urged the Tinubu-led Administration to demonstrate zero tolerance for criminality by imposing severe penalties, including death by firing squad and life imprisonment, for kidnappers, terrorists, and bandits.
During the well-attended current affairs program broadcasted live by SWEET 107.1FM and via Zoom, the security experts offered additional far-reaching suggestions to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians.
Gen. Okunowo, drawing on successful models from Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa, proposed the establishment of Forest Guards with a comprehensive complement of Marine, air wing, and foot mobile personnel to effectively police the forests.
He also advocated for herders to embrace ranching and stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation to combat cross-border criminal activities.
Emphasizing judicial reform, Gen. Okunowo stated, “There is a need for the use of death sentences with public execution and higher punishments such as life imprisonment without the option of fine.”
He further suggested the government enlist the services of retired military and police veterans to train upcoming operatives.
DIG Leye Oyebade highlighted the need for security agencies to leverage Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) to strengthen the internal security framework and make ransom-taking unprofitable for criminals.
He emphasized deploying superior gadgets to counter evolving criminal tactics, including fraud, yahoo, and ritualism.
“To checkmate these criminals, there is a need for deployment of drones, helicopters, and other modern sophisticated gadgets to comb the forests and expose their hideouts,” stated DIG Oyebade.
He stressed the importance of fortifying porous borders with modern gadgets and implementing a strategic intervention plan to reposition the Nigeria Police Force as the lead agency in the country’s internal security architecture.
Expressing concern about the lack of credible intelligence in the country’s security architecture, Oyebade underscored the pivotal role intelligence plays in achieving successful proactive and preventive policing.
DIG Oyebade urged the Federal Government to implement the recommendations and strategies outlined in the Concluding Seminar Main Report submitted to the President by members of Senior Executive Course 40.
The report focuses on “Strengthening Internal Security Framework and Community Policing in Nigeria: Models, Policy options, and Strategies.”
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