Nigeria is at a pivotal moment. Across the country, insecurity has escalated, ambushes on soldiers, kidnappings, banditry, and attacks on civilians. Recent incidents, including the alleged church attack in Kwara State and ambushes in Borno and Kaduna, highlight the urgent need to confront the root causes of violence.
Frustration has led many Nigerians to believe that the government arms or shields terrorists, but this conclusion oversimplifies a far more complex problem. More importantly, it shifts attention away from the real issue: dysfunctional systems, not necessarily the personality in office.
fter an in-depth conversation with Moyosore Sotimrin, a member of the Old Grammarian Society and fellow CMS Grammar School alumnus, this article seeks to clarify common misconceptions, unpack the real drivers of insecurity, and propose a practical and sustainable path forward.
Nigeria’s security problems did not begin today. Under President Goodluck Jonathan, Boko Haram terrorized the Northeast and kidnappings surged. Under President Muhammadu Buhari, despite several military operations, banditry and mass abductions continued. Now under President Bola Tinubu, the pattern remains, revealing that insecurity is a structural national issue, not a personality-driven one. No administration gains anything from chaos. The persistence of insecurity is rooted in weak institutions and structural failures, not deliberate sabotage.
Incompetence vs. Complicity: Understanding the Difference A clear national conversation must distinguish between incompetence — poor coordination, slow response, and weak intelligence. Official silence or delay are sometimes necessary for verification or to prevent panic. But criminal and extremist groups take advantage of corruption and weak governance. When these are mixed together, myths grow and real solutions become harder to see.
How criminal groups obtain weapons Despite monitored borders and airspace, weapons still slip into criminal hands due to corruption among certain border and port officials. Rogue security personnel also divert arms for personal gain. Regional smuggling networks freely move weapons across West Africa. There are also loopholes in aid and development programs that criminal groups exploit. These problems point to systemic weaknesses, not intentional government involvement.
Way Forward: Realistic, Multi-Layered Solutions Fixing insecurity requires a broad strategy that includes immediate actions, policy reforms, community involvement, and long-term structural change.
1. Immediate Security Measures
Strengthen intelligence sharing among the military, police, and civil authorities. Deploy rapid-response units to major hotspots prone to ambushes and kidnappings. Establish community alert systems linked to local vigilante groups under government regulation.
2. Structural Governance Reforms Build an integrated intelligence framework to reduce fragmentation. Ensure leadership in security agencies is based on merit rather than politics. Enforce transparency in security spending.
3. Border and Port Security Overhaul Introduce digital tracking systems for cargo and passenger clearance. Conduct regular audits with strict penalties for corrupt customs and border officials. Strengthen collaboration with neighboring countries.
4. Socio-Economic Interventions Expand access to education, vocational training, and job opportunities. Launch community development initiatives in vulnerable regions. Invest in youth programs that redirect energy toward productivity and innovation.
5. Public Awareness and Civic Engagement Encourage citizens to report suspicious activities. Promote responsible public discourse based on verified information. Strengthen partnerships between communities, traditional leaders, and security agencies.
6. Long-Term Institutional Reform Reform the justice system to ensure timely prosecution of offenders. Develop a national strategy for equitable resource distribution and infrastructure growth. Provide continuous modern training for security personnel.
Conclusion: Reform Is Essential Nigeria stands at a decisive moment. The belief that government actors support terrorism distracts from the real issues: weak institutions, corruption, poor coordination, and socio-economic disparities.
More importantly, constantly condemning the President–any President–keeps Nigeria trapped in a cycle of hoping a new leader will magically fix the country. Leadership matters, but Nigeria’s insecurity will not end simply by replacing one occupant of Aso Rock with another. Real progress depends on confronting and reforming the bad eggs within the system, the corrupt officials, compromised security personnel, ineffective institutions, and structural bottlenecks that have outlasted multiple administrations.
Debates like the one I had with Moyosore Sotimrin remind us that progress begins with honest, fact-based dialogue. Nigeria’s future depends on comprehensive reform–stronger intelligence systems, accountable leadership at every level, empowered communities, and meaningful economic investment.
Only by addressing both the structural and human dimensions of insecurity can the country finally break the cycle of violence and move toward lasting peace and prosperity.
Solomon Ogo-Oluwa Oyerinde, a political strategist and advocate for positive national branding, writes from Lagos. He could be reached on