Nigeria’s Rising Insecurity: A Call for Action
The spokesperson for the 7th House of Representatives, Zakari Muhammed, a criminologist from Kwara State, has highlighted the root causes of escalating violence in the northern part of the country. According to Muhammed, insecurity is attributed to three primary factors: lack of education, radicalization of religion, and lack of political will. He emphasized that education is key to preventing the recruitment of citizens into criminal activities, citing the importance of compulsory and free primary and junior secondary education.
Muhammed also stressed the need for the government to deploy technology in the fight against terrorism, utilizing drones to track and neutralize bandits. He expressed concern that some individuals, including those in government, may be benefiting from the ongoing insecurity, thereby hindering efforts to address the issue. The politician and security expert emphasized that the Nigerian Army is capable of defeating bandits, but a total political will is necessary to eliminate them.
The instability in neighboring countries, such as the Sahel region, also poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s democracy and security. Muhammed urged President Bola Tinubu to engage with neighboring states to address the security challenges, rather than adopting a confrontational approach. He cited the example of the recent incident in the Republic of Benin, where Nigeria’s actions were seen as a violation of international protocol.
Furthermore, Muhammed addressed the allegations of northern elites fueling banditry to weaken the current administration, dismissing this as a “lazy and simplistic line of thinking.” He argued that the government should focus on dismantling networks that support terrorism, rather than making unfounded accusations.
The issue of political appointments has also raised concerns, with some northerners feeling marginalized by the current administration. Muhammed noted that key revenue-generating agencies are headed by individuals from the Yoruba region, which may be perceived as unfair and unhealthy for a diverse country like Nigeria.
In terms of the 2027 elections, Muhammed predicted that President Tinubu may not receive the same level of support from the North as he did in 2023, due to perceived disenfranchisement and lack of attention to the region’s concerns. The performance of the current National Assembly was also criticized, with Muhammed stating that it has eroded the gains made in preserving legislative independence and has become an extension of the executive.
Ultimately, the ongoing insecurity in Nigeria requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach, involving education, technology, and political will. The government must address the root causes of the problem, rather than just its symptoms, to ensure a safer and more prosperous future for all Nigerians.
