By Festus Fifen

Nigeria Former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Saturday formally presented his book and account of his stewardship as a police officer, “Beyond the Bullets” Policing Terrorism in a Democratic System, at a public launch attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan and industrialist Aliko Dangote amd other notable Nigerians including Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.

The book which took place at the Police Resource Center in Jabi argues that defeating terrorism takes more than MD Abubakar as he is fondly called, said its central message is that security operations must be matched with fairness, accountability and respect for human dignity.

Speaking during his remarks the Author Mohammed Dikko Abubakar Drawing on his years in service, warned that counterterrorism must not come at the expense of human rights, democratic institutions and the rule of law.

According to him, Security agencies, must protect citizens without treating whole communities as suspects, since discriminatory practices erode public trust and weaken intelligence gathering.

In his words, “The book insists on a vital point that I learned in service. Fighting terrorism should never mean treating the whole community as suspects,”

Abubakar cautioned that excessive use of state power could damage relations between security agencies and the communities they are meant to protect. Describing it as “When fear becomes policy, discrimination becomes security,”

Abubakar also defended the judiciary, legislature, media and civil society, saying they should not be seen as obstacles to national security. ” Effective counterterrorism, requires intelligence sharing, inter-agency coordination, accountability and respect for the law. Democracies must answer violence with the process,” he said noting that credible investigations, evidence-based prosecutions and justice for victims are essential.

In a speech delivered by his former chief of staff, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan commended the book’s theme and called on the government to revisit two programmes from his administration, the Almajiri education initiative and the Great Green Wall project.

He said the Almajiri schools were meant to give millions of young people vocational skills beyond religious education, reducing their vulnerability to recruitment by criminal groups. The Great Green Wall, he said, could combat desertification, expand land for farming and animal husbandry, and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

“The fight against terrorism is not the responsibility of one administration or the other,” he said, urging successive governments to build on existing security policies.

Business Mogul Aliko Dangote in his goodwill message said military operations alone cannot defeat terrorism without addressing unemployment and poverty. “If you don’t create jobs, it’s difficult to fight terrorism and get it out of the way,” he said.

He urged entrepreneurs to partner with the government to create jobs and growth. Citing a UNICEF report, he said the insurgency in the North-East has cost the nation about $100bn, though he argued the true figure could be much higher given the effect on agriculture and other sectors.

Describing the fight against terrorism as a collective responsibility, he called on Nigerians to support the government’s security efforts.

The book Launch was well attended by notable and eminent Nigerians. In the Business, security, Politics, Public service and retired Police Chiefs.