Before I’m bombed!

               By Dele Olaitan

It is astoundingly worrisome that human beings (Nigerians in particular) hardly learn from history. Hence ugly repetitions of unwholesome actions are allowed to occur to no end. One particular area I’m constrained to look at and examine is the incessant ‘clashes’ and ‘face – offs’ between the Nigerian military personnel and the Nigerian public.

Since the inception of this new democratic government in 1999 and especially of late, series of scenarios whereby the military and the public it is supposed to exist for and protect were at logger heads has played out. As each episode unfolded, there usually were accusations and counter accusations, claims and counter claims, denials, affirmations etc from parties involved. Yet all these only raises our shamelessness as a nation to heights incomparable.

Does this not tell very discerning and critical observers that something fundamental is wrong with us? As the Yorubas would say, “Oro sunnukun, oju sunnukun la fii wo”. Literally, this translates to “At the occurrence of an unusual or uncommon event, only the adepts could discern and understand the underlying currents”.

Therefore, the common approach of heaping reproach and opprobrium on the belligerents has hardly helped in any meaningful or practical way. Otherwise, it would not have become a recurring episode in our national life.

So, what is it that is fundamentally wrong? What and where did we go amiss and astray as a people and as institutions? Let’s put blame game and buck passing aside for a moment.

In the first instance, the words of Prof SC Ukpabi must continuously resonate in our sub-consciousness and psyche in order that we easily come to terms with what reality is. He said and I quote, “Army conditions reflect the state of society generally” and that “A society begets the Army it deserves”. This must be accepted as an indisputable fact and allowed to be one of the cardinal principles guiding our understanding of civil – military issues.

Three things can be deduced or inferred from the professor’s submission. The first and most basic is that societies that adore their military, accept military personnel as heroes and accord them due respect don’t do so on a whim. It was as a result of deep seated reciprocity of mutual respect founded upon unshaken faith in the Rule of Law. Secondly, military establishments worldwide are made up of citizens of individual nations. As such, behavioral patterns and idiosyncrasies of military personnel of nations would differ being naturally influenced by national beliefs, culture, socio – political history etc.

And lastly, it is a fact that what one sows shall he reap hence nobody should expect a Nigerian soldier to behave like an American soldier and vice versa. Likewise must nobody expect Nigerians to treat their soldiers as Americans or as other nations treat theirs.

What we must not lose cognizance of however is the fact that when Nigerian soldiers or policemen are overseas, they hardly misbehave. Rather, they usually are reported to have performed excellently. And host countries do accord them due regards and respect as they would their own. But why are military personnel and police taken for granted here?

Ironically, they are despised and denigrated by those Nigerians they are paid to serve and protect. Or do foreigners maltreat or disrespect our military personnel and other law enforcement agents here? It is we that have little or no value for ourselves. Not only the military and police personnel are undervalued here. Theirs is more apparent because of their uniform. Teachers and most other professionals in the public service are worse off.

Going forward, one could easily see where the fault or shortcoming of incessant misunderstandings between the Nigerian public and the Nigerian military stems from. It is simply a reflection of the age long saying that “nobody can give what he does not possess”.

So likewise should nobody bemoan or clamour for what does not belong to him. Decency, decorum, discipline and forbearance are main virtues that sustain the Rule of Law. Where these are in short supply or not available, chaos easily take the center stage. Hence such ugly, unpalatable and unpleasant scenarios of “Unknown soldiers”, “Mad Dogs” etc would continue to happen on us as a nation.

Most of us cherish lawlessness, admire impunity and accept might as being right. Yet we claim to be civilized and practicing democratic governance.

I strongly believe that it takes two to tango and that two wrongs can’t make a right. As such, all expectations for responsible behavior and being law abiding mustn’t be ONLY on the members of the public in situations like this. All citizens including SOLDIERS must abide by the laws.

In conclusion, one can admonish or advice that all free borns sent on errand of slaves should always endeavor to act as free borns at such awkward times. So also must all road side farmers try as much as possible to prevent unsavory exposure of their crops to potential thieves. The Nigerian public must be made to know the essence of their military (and other public servants) and treat them as worthy.

The Nigerian military must equally accept the fact of its subservient position to constituted civil authorities and thus not operate above the laws but with and through the laws. All citizens must be made aware of, accept and acknowledge that the rule of law is sacrosanct and its strict application is mutually beneficial.

Otherwise……

The bombings can now commence!

Olaitan, a retired Major writes from Ilorin, Kwara State