TINUBU MUST GO: VDM & THE DANGEROUS ART OF PROVOCATION!
OPINION: I don’t expect Ratalians to agree with me, however I struggle to understand how a young man would arrive at a Nigerian airport, publicly announce that he expected to be arrested, and then encourage his followers and admirers to converge upon an international airport, cause mayhem. When it became apparent that the anticipated drama was not generating the desired attention and content, the gathering reportedly proceeded to an Air Force base, where the entrance was blocked and members of the crowd openly insulted the military. One must ask: in what serious nation does such conduct occur without dire consequences!?
Here in the United Kingdom, for example, security authorities would scarcely permit such a crowd to assemble within the confines of Heathrow Airport. Public safety considerations alone would necessitate intervention. Any attempt to obstruct operations or breach security protocols would almost certainly result in arrests and criminal charges.
Likewise, in the United States, it is inconceivable that a crowd would be permitted to block access to a military installation without swift action from law enforcement and military police. In many parts of the world, the consequences would be far more severe. In Turkey where he took his connecting flight. lethal force would have been deployed. The question, therefore, is not whether a reaction would occur, but why circumstances are deliberately created to invite one.
As they say, "The child who plays with a cobra because it is asleep may not live to see it awaken." Institutions such as airports and military facilities are not theatres. They are strategic national assets whose operations are governed by security considerations far beyond the understanding of the average Nigerian.
Suppose, for a moment, that there had been an emergency requiring the immediate movement of senior military personnel through that gate. Suppose there had been an operational deployment, a security threat, or an urgent national assignment. What then? Would those men in military uniform, responsible for safeguarding national security, would they have simply turn around and drive away? Or would measures have been taken to clear the obstruction? And by that you know what I mean. These are questions that should concern every reasonable responsible citizen. Far too often, we manufacture crises for attention and then express outrage when those crises produce dangerous consequences.
I am not in any way diminishing genuine concerns over the security situation in Nigeria. Because at the heart of the anger expressed by some Nigerians is the belief that government has done little or nothing to address the scourge of kidnapping and insecurity. Such frustrations are understandable. However, frustration must never become a substitute for unguarded actions.
They say the man who asks questions never loses his way. Unfortunately, many people form conclusions without first seeking information and asking questions.
With particular reference to the kidnapping in Oyo State, reports indicated that security agencies were able to track and locate both the kidnappers and their victims within a relatively short period. If these reports are accurate, then why have the victims not been rescued? People need to ask the right questions. Because the challenge confronting our security forces is not one of locating the captives but of extracting them safely.
This distinction is crucial because according to available reports I read online, the abductors strategically positioned themselves among the hostages, effectively using innocent teachers and children as human shields. Under such circumstances, a direct assault becomes infinitely more complex. The dilemma confronting security agencies is therefore not straightforward: how does one rescue innocent lives without simultaneously endangering them? Is this evidence of indifference? Does it show incompetence or collusion? This is the reality of modern asymmetric warfare and hostage rescue operations, the use of human shields.
History offers numerous examples of similar challenges. Around the world, elite security forces have often spent days, weeks, and sometimes months developing methods to rescue hostages without loss of life. Patience, intelligence gathering, negotiation, surveillance, and strategic planning frequently prove more effective than force alone. The sad situation in Gaza between the IDF and Hamas, is because of the use of human shields. Meaning the best military elite forces in the world have a dilemma dealing with such scenarios.
If I could add anything here by way of a solution, I believe the Nigerian military seriously needs to seek strategic advice from the Israeli Defence Force. Two months ago PM Netanyahu made an offer to assist Nigeria. I feel we might need to take up that offer.
Secondly I feel there is need to have armed escorts shielding convoys of vehicles, especially public transport emanating from motor parks, plying notorious routes. After 9/11 Isreal had to station armed operatives in all its aircrafts. Israeli aircrafts are currently the safest in the air.
Thirdly, the Gombe State example might be the way to go. Gombe State has resorted to self-help. Its citizens have organised a humongous armed resistance volunteer force. This might be the avenue vulnerable communities might have to defend themselves across Nigeria with government oversight. Our military cannot do it alone.
Our elders say, "The hunter who rushes into the bush returns home carrying wounds instead of game."
Security operations are rarely as simple as they appear on social media. Indeed, when people assert that government is doing nothing, they often overlook a fundamental reality: terrorists and kidnappers need only succeed once, whereas security forces must succeed repeatedly.. The burden of the defender is always heavier than that of the aggressor. A single successful kidnapping becomes national news. Dozens of attacks prevented before they occur rarely receive similar attention. This imbalance in public perception creates the illusion that nothing is being done, even when countless successful operations are underway behind the scenes.
I recently came across reports from a security commentator on Facebook yesterday“English Alhajil” indicating that Nigerian security forces foiled a planned mass kidnapping of students in Kogi State. Such interventions seldom trend on social media because disaster was prevented. Yet had the operation failed, it would undoubtedly have dominated public discourse for weeks.
Nigeria's armed forces remain among the most respected military institutions on the African continent. Our servicemen and women have distinguished themselves in regional peacekeeping operations and international engagements. They have earned commendations, made sacrifices, and demonstrated courage under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. This does not mean they are beyond criticism. No institution is. However, criticism must remain responsible, lawful, and constructive. Not rash. To obstruct access to a military facility is not an act of civic engagement. It is an unnecessary provocation carrying potentially grave consequences.
Whenever citizens deliberately place themselves in confrontation with armed institutions, it is often ordinary people who bear the consequences. If genuine change is the objective, then energy should be directed towards the democratic process.
Before speaking of revolution, let us first speak of participation. Truth be told how many Ratalians or those calling for radical change possess Permanent Voter Cards? How many participate consistently in elections? How many remain engaged beyond social media campaigns and online outrage? These are uncomfortable truths but necessary questions. Too many citizens proclaim that elections are predetermined, yet the same individuals fail to register, fail to vote, and fail to organise politically. Such contradictions weaken the very causes they claim to support.
If elections are entirely predetermined, why do politicians spend vast sums campaigning? Why do they devote enormous resources to mobilising support? Why have political strongholds, on occasion, produced unexpected outcomes? Why and how did President Tinubu lose in Lagos state, his base, if elections are truly predetermined!?
Democracy is imperfect, but it remains the most effective instrument available to citizens for peaceful change. What Nigeria requires is not revolution, but evolution. An evolution of civic consciousness. An evolution of political participation.
An evolution of responsibility.
An evolution of leadership and citizenship alike.
Nations are not transformed through outrage alone. They are transformed through sustained civic engagement, informed participation, and collective responsibility. Therefore, let us encourage our young people to obtain their PVCs, participate in elections, hold leaders accountable, and defend democratic institutions through lawful means. Let us reject the politics of provocation. Let us reject the pursuit of attention at any cost. For it takes only a single reckless moment to produce a tragedy that cannot be undone. And when that moment comes, no slogan, no livestream, and no social media post will comfort the parents of a son or daughter who never returned home.
The path to national progress is not through provocation, but through wisdom; not through confrontation, but through responsibility; not through harassing the military, but through informed action. "Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it alone."
Nigeria will rise not through content, but through the patient work of citizenship.
Don’t misunderstand me, I am in no way diminishing VDM’s activism but I feel he has a big enough platform to educate his followers and fans about civic participation in the electoral process. VDM ought to tell his followers, “Go and obtain your PVC!” Because that’s the only revolution recognised by law and by all civilised societies in the 21st century.
#streetGIST
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