Ex-Police Commissioner: Lack of Good Governance Fuels Insecurity in Nigeria
Ex-Police Commissioner: Lack of Good Governance Fuels Insecurity in Nigeria
Emmanuel Ojukwu, a former Commissioner of Police, has pinpointed ineffective governance as a key factor contributing to the current insecurity in Nigeria.
He stressed that tackling the crisis demands substantial political determination, pointing out that the bandits causing chaos nationwide can largely do so due to a lack of governance in the affected regions.
Ojukwu stated on Channels Television’s Politics Today that the political will is essential to halt instability and deliver good governance to the people.
“Due to inadequate governance in certain areas, some negative elements have taken advantage and positioned themselves as the alternative.”
He asserted that banditry persists in Nigeria because it serves the interests of certain high-ranking government officials, cautioning that the issue will remain unresolved until the political elite sincerely dedicate themselves to stopping it.
The former police commissioner also attributed some responsibility to the general public, asserting that vices such as banditry will persist as long as the culture of money worship remains unaddressed.
“The means should be used to judge the end. When someone with excessive wealth spends recklessly and is celebrated, they may become a mentor; however, I cannot regard an immoral person as my mentor,” he stated.
In recent months, the security situation across Nigeria has deteriorated, resulting in numerous incidents involving killings, banditry, terrorism, and various forms of violent crime in multiple states.
Over the recent weekend, reports indicate that more than 100 individuals lost their lives due to a series of violent attacks across Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, and Edo states.
The attack elicited numerous responses from Nigerians across various sectors, prompting Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, to call on the Federal Government to initiate a “national war” against insecurity.
“Bloody Weekend: More than 100 Lives Lost in Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, and Edo. This sobering headline mirrors the alarming truth featured in our weekend newspapers,” Obi posted on X.
The murder of eight NSCDC officers, the abduction of a Chinese national in Edo, the kidnapping of passengers on the Benin–Iyere–Oluku road, and the killing of five soldiers along with 58 civilians in Borno are not isolated incidents. They serve as clear evidence that Nigeria is experiencing an acute security crisis.
“When more than 100 Nigerians lose their lives in a single weekend, our casualty numbers are comparable to those of nations engaged in official war. This situation can no longer be considered normal. It is imperative that we declare a national battle against insecurity—mobilizing all resources, agencies, and states while setting aside distractions—to initiate the process of restoring order and reclaiming our nation from chaos.”
