Missing schoolgirls: Security experts dismiss N50m bounty

Dr. Ona Ekhomu

 Security experts have described the N50m reward for information offered by the Nigeria Police as medicine after death.

The President of Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, stated that reward for information could be a good idea but that it came late.

“Sometimes, it does help. There could be a mole within the group but the fear of being arrested may prevent such individual from giving information. A third-party who has relevant information can easily do that,” Dr. Ekhomu explained.

He, however, added that the request for information did not come at the right time. “The Nigeria Police’s response to the abduction of the schoolgirls is absolutely inept and irresponsible. It is medicine after death. The security outfit waited till there was a rise in global concern prompted by media action weeks after the abduction. It is an effort too little, too late,” he said.

Similarly, a security consultant at Frontier Guards Services, Mr. Simon Udie, while commending the police for coming to the public for information that can lead to the rescuing of the abducted schoolgirls in Bornu State, told Sunday Punch that the force lacked credibility.

“It may suggest that the Nigerian police have exhausted all within their capacity. But what have they done? Nothing. They hide information when they ought to share with the public. They should know how to make certain aspects of their investigations known to the public. They should have made available nationwide investigation desks where citizens can volunteer information unhindered.

“It shouldn’t be the regular police story where someone who volunteers to give information soon becomes the accused. There’s no confidence in the Nigerian police; confidence should be restored. ,” Udie said.

Similarly, certified protection officer and security analyst at HJ Supranumedia, Mr. Segun Elijah, described the effort of the police in requesting for information as half-hearted.

“I think the Nigeria police is just trying to show they are working –belatedly, though. A prompt response based on sound risk management should have been activated immediately after the Chibok abduction.”

Speaking further, he said, “Instead of throwing bounties around now, they should find a way of broaching a negotiation for the release of the girls. That’s one aspect of security that hasn’t been employed in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts. Remember armed rescue operations mostly lead to the death of the hostages.

“Many will remember the Nigeria-British rescue operation in 2012 first led to the death of some foreigners Boko Haram took hostage then.”

Last week, the Police High Command had offered a cash reward of N50m to anyone who would volunteer credible information that would lead to the location and rescue of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

 “While calling on the general public to be part of the solution to the present security challenge, the Police High Command also reassures all citizens that any information given would be treated anonymously and with utmost confidentiality,” the Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said.

The Force appealed to everyone with such useful information to contact the following numbers: 09-2914649, 08081777309,  08055547536, 08032125050, 08034617591, and 08035969731.