SECURITY ALERT WITH JIDE

Insecurity in Nigeria: Where is the Anti-Terrorism Act? .

In the wake of violent attacks and bombings across the country, the National Assembly passed a law against terrorism in 2010 known as ‘Anti Terrorism Act.’ 
The Act provided among other things various jail terms for whoever is found to have engaged directly or indirectly in terrorist activities.
Since the bill was passed into law by the two chambers of the National Assembly, acts of terrorism and terrorist attacks have been on the increase in the country. 
Unfortunately, despite repeated claims that some of those who perpetrate these dastardly acts were apprehended by various security agents in the country, nobody has so far been tried, found guilty or punished under the Anti-Terrorism Law.
Kano State, the nation’s second commercial nerve centre has been held under siege by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram. 
In a commando style, members of the sect bomb major security outposts in Kano.
So far, five police formations; the headquarters of the State Security Services, SSS; immigration headquarters as well as residence of the immediate past Inspector General of Police, IGP, Hafiz Ringim, among others have come under attack in Kano.
Their recent invasion of the ancient city, which claimed over 200 lives, attracted wide condemnation from Nigerians as well as the international community.
They unanimously condemned the actions of the sect and urged it to engage the federal government in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to killing of innocent citizens.
This attack received government attention more than any other in the northern states.
For example, President Goodluck Jonathan; the president of the Senate, David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, among other top government officials, visited Kano after the tragic event.
In his speech during the visit, the Senate President, David Mark, said time had come for a tougher anti-terrorism law in Nigeria. 
He explained that the National Assembly under his leadership would review the extant Anti-Terrorism Act in order to give it a biting force.
According to David Mark, the review would support maximally the current fight against terrorism in the country, especially the Boko Haram menace.
He said the National Assembly would do everything within its powers to ensure that the activities of Boko Haram and other terror groups were reduced to the barest minimum.
Inasmuch as we agree with the position of the Senate president that the Anti- Terrorism Act should be strengthened, we would like to ask: what is the use of laws if they are not being enforced to meet their purposes?
Already, apart from the Anti-Terrorism Act, other laws in the country like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, as well as other laws establishing the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC; the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, all contain sections that deal on terrorism.
While they think of better options to tackle Boko Haram, the urgent intervention the country needs from the federal lawmakers is how they can  collaborate with the executive arm of government to put a definite stop to the orgy of bloodletting masterminded by the Islamic sect.
The immediate need of the nation is action. Unless terrorists are arrested, tried and punished severely if found guilty, this talk of fight against terrorism will remain a mirage.  To be forewarned, they say, is to be forearmed.