- Despite several pronouncements by the federal and state governments about tackling insecurity, the challenge still persists. What do you think is the problem?
I believe the time is right to restructure the security architecture of the country by way of constitutional amendments to provide State Governors to create and fund state police and intelligence services because policing ought to be a community approach whereby stakeholders at the grassroot level take charge of their security system, setting of early warning mechanisms, conflict management and crime prevention. I believe a wholistic approach to curbing insecurity is what is needed to stabilize the local communities that are at the heart of runaway insecurity
- State governors receive security votes, do you think the funds are being deployed for its objective?
I do not think the Governors utilize these funds properly and that’s why I have called for constitutional amendments to allow the Governors own the tag “Chief Security Officer” and to be held responsible for security in their various domains. Right now they seem to hide under the banner of the federal government but if they fund the state police and hold their Commanders to account I reckon that the problem of insecurity will abate - What are your suggestions on how the security votes could be used to achieve its original objective?
The security vote can be used in various ways such as intelligence and surveillance, training of a rapid response squad and ensuring that the ways and means for a successful policing is guaranteed
- When Boko Haram started, it was more of ideological issues, now it appears like an economic means or money making means, what is your opinion?
Yes, the current Boko Haram Terrorist’s rampage has turned into vast commercial empire in the name of banditry and kidnapping for ransom, so the question of ideology is no longer there. They are like everyday criminals wielding guns for cash and properties
- The bandits/kidnappers look hungry when we see them, despite the millions of naira they receive from kidnapping. Do you think they are the real beneficiaries of the funds or do you think the funds go elsewhere?
*From reports I have seen, some of these bandits are sponsored by individuals with alot of sophistication who provide arms and ammunition for them, to kidnap for ransom and in turn they are paid peanuts for job well done. Some of the kidnappers paraded by the law enforcement have confessed to receiving the sum of N250,000 as against the N100M they received as ransom. I agree that they have sponsors.
- There are certain class of Nigerians who have access to the bandits, like Sheik Gumi, why is it difficult for the security agencies to trace the bandits to their enclaves?
It’s a good question. Sometimes the security services know their locations but for fear of mass casualties they tend to exercise restraint. The best way to curtail the menace in the first instance is through a comprehensive strategy of prevention
- As a security expert, what do you think is the correlation between hardship in the country and criminality?
People tend to be desperate when they face certain adversity, some resort to crime while others perserve. It’s very important to state that economic crisis lead people to all manner of vices in a bid to survive but we cannot rule out greed and sheer wickedness as part of motivations behind the uptick of crime in Nigeria
- If you were the security adviser to President Tinubu, what will you advise him on how to tackle the insecurity in the country?
He has to reorganize the security and intelligence architecture of Nigeria and ensure the national security design starts from the grassroots to urban centre because we have ungoverned spaces in the hinterlands and these are the places where citizens suffer grave insecurity issues
- Nnamdi Kanu during his last appearance in the court said he will end insecurity in the southeast if released. Do you think that his detention plays any role in the insecurity situation in the southeast?
I believe his detention provided opportunities for all kinds of individuals to become involved in agitation for his release leading to violent crimes and I suggest a political solution towards ending the security problem in the Southeast
- What is your opinion about President Tinubu’s position that he will not negotiate with bandits?
I don’t think Nigeria should negotiate with Terrorists or Bandits. I support Mr President
