THE tragedy of the continued clashes among various security agencies is that each episode is quickly consigned to a long list of similar incidents that failed to stop new dangerous incidents. Why do agencies that should work together clash? Is there anything the commanding officers teach their rank and file?

Clashes among security agencies are not new. They no longer bewilder the public as used to be the case. Why would those meant to secure us set on themselves with such ferocity that results in mayhem? How then would these agencies work together in an election settling, an election that is doused in tension?

What would happen on election day if the security agencies decided to fight over superiority? Different arms of the military also fight over matters that are sometimes indiscernible. Each wants to show its superiority, and the best way it seems, is by unleashing excessive force on the other. The police that are supposed to manage internal security are the least regarded in the entire setup.

When the Air Force and Police clashed in Lagos, years back, both sides fought for days, taking turns to fight not only identifiable personnel from both sides, but anyone with a car sticker that aligned with either side.

All that seems to matter during such incidents is that if colleagues of an aggrieved party fail to retaliate the hurt with more excessiveness, then the arm of the security agency he represents has also been disgraced. The individual’s offence is unimportant in fighting for the group to maintain the service.

In Aba, months back, the Army fought the Police over a minor traffic incident. It led to soldiers invading a police station before superior officers on both sides intervened. So much damage had been done before order was restored.

Each arm of the security agencies thinks it is superior to the other and never misses an opportunity to show it. Unfortunately, when these incidents occur, senior officers support their men. It is doubtful if the security authorities punish their personnel, where they are the offending party.

These fights could be minimised without the ease the ravaging parties access assistance from their colleagues. There always appears to be troops on standby to carry out these invasions, with an acumen that suggests they are critical to their career, or the well-being of their agency.

It is important the authorities deal with these matters thoroughly. If security agencies fight themselves, we should not be wondering why they are not cooperating to manage national security. If they take this attitude to the elections, it would not take much imagination to predict what their activities at the elections would be.