IT is ironical the cantonment in Abuja where a blast killed and injured people in a pre-New Year revel is named Mogadishu after the capital of Somalia, which has had no central government since General Mahammad Siad Barre was over- thrown in 1991.

Scores of secessions saw to disintegration of a territory the French, British, Italians and Russians fancied at centre points in its history. Barre’s dictatorship lasted 22 years.

Mogadishu was theatre of a war in 1992 in which Nigerian soldiers played prominent roles in rescuing United States soldiers (part of a United Nations force) whom Somalians disgraced out of the city. Since then it has become synonymous with lawlessness.

The cantonment in Abuja was initially Sani Abacha Barracks, another name that easily connects to a past that many wish away. Olusegun Obasanjo renamed it.

Its mammy market, by the cantonment gate, scene of the blasts, was a relaxation point for officers and civilians on their way from work. Mogadishu is one of the barracks in that section of Asokoro that leads to Keffi, Nyanya, Maraba, Jos and Kaduna .

The choice of a site close to the barracks for an attack has great publicity value. The attackers have milked it. Anyone reading the stories would think the market was inside the barracks, but it is bad enough the attack could take place so close to a barrack.

Nigerians are worried about the regularity of these attacks and the flippant approaches of government to solving the problem. Government appears to be toying with security of our people.

Why the recourse to foreign security agencies to investigate bomb blasts government said it knew who were responsible? What was the source of the initial information? Are our security agencies so ill equipped they cannot investigate bomb blast on Nigerian territory? For how long will government play to the gallery with important issues? Will government strengthen our security agencies or depend on outsiders every time there are incidents?

The issue is not about investigating bomb blasts; it is about government having the political will to deal with the culprits. The absence of will leads to government not utilising the results of investigations, or security agencies doing shoddy investigations.

Blasts in Abuja last October, Christmas eve bombing of Jos, burning of churches and killing of worshipers in Maiduguri, religious riots in Bauchi, a blast at a rally in Yenagoa, are the latest manifestation of insecurity.

The descent to Mogadishu can be fast. It starts with the neglect of the people, something our governments attend with rapacious adroitness. The only thing that matters now is the election in April.

Insecurity is rising. The usual sources – armed robbery, kidnapping, communal clashes, riots, militancy – are taking a back seat to bomb blasts and political thuggery. Government’s only concerns are power manoeuvres. The exclusive pedestal on which government runs its affairs is dangerous, particularly when it does not protect the people.

The road to Mogadishu is paved with neglect of the people. We are travelling it at a disturbing  speed.