Bello pohvali Tinubujeve varnostne dosežke, sreča NSA Ribadu

Nigeria's worsening security situation has drawn sharp criticism from two high-profile retired security officials, who accused the federal government of failing to adequately fund and equip law enforcement and defense agencies. Former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro and former Chief of Defense Staff General Lucky Irabor pointed to chronic underinvestment in security infrastructure, outdated equipment, and insufficient staffing as key contributors to the country's rising insecurity. Their remarks came during the First Daily National Dialogue on Security in Abuja, where they called for urgent reforms to address systemic weaknesses in the nation's security framework. Okiro emphasized that the police, as the primary agency responsible for internal security, had been left vulnerable due to a lack of proper resources. He argued that the government's deliberate choice to underarm the police had directly contributed to the rise in criminal activity. “The government is contributing to insecurity itself,” he said. “The police is the lead agency for internal security. But the government deliberately, without any fear of contradiction, disarmed the police. The result is insecurity.” He noted that the police had been forced to rely on outdated methods, such as batons, rather than modern equipment like communication devices, armored vehicles, and advanced weaponry. Okiro also criticized the long-standing neglect of recruitment within the police force. During his tenure as chairman of the Police Service Commission in 2013, he discovered that no new recruits had joined the force for five consecutive years, despite the loss of nearly 60,000 personnel through retirement, death, and other causes. This gap in manpower, he said, had left the police unable to cope with the growing number of crimes and security threats. “There are many young graduates in Nigeria without jobs,” he remarked. “Why can't they be employed by the police?” General Irabor, meanwhile, focused on the defense sector, highlighting the disproportionate allocation of the national defense budget. He noted that over three-quarters of the defense budget went toward personnel salaries, leaving little room for the acquisition of modern military equipment, maintenance, and technological upgrades. “Nigeria’s total military expenditure remains below one percent of our GDP,” he said. “For a country facing a security emergency, that figure requires our attention.” Irabor cited specific data showing that even approved budgets for military operations had not been fully funded. For example, the Nigerian Army was allocated N20.56 billion for equipment in 2025, but only 7.1 percent of that sum had been released. Similarly, the Nigerian Air Force’s aircraft maintenance budget of N34.71 billion saw just 13.9 percent disbursed. These figures, according to Irabor, illustrated a broader trend of misaligned priorities in national security planning. Despite these criticisms, some political figures and traditional leaders have expressed optimism about recent developments in the fight against insecurity. Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello praised President Bola Tinubu for the administration's progress in combating crime, citing the successful rescue of abducted schoolchildren in both Kogi and Oyo states as evidence of effective intelligence-led operations. Bello met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja, where he commended the coordination between federal and state security agencies and the role of the NSA in fostering interagency collaboration. During the meeting, Bello highlighted the importance of sustained intelligence-gathering and the need for public support in identifying potential threats. He also acknowledged the bravery of security personnel who risked their lives to save the kidnapped children, calling them a testament to the dedication of Nigeria's security forces. Similarly, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended President Tinubu for his firm stance against paying ransoms to kidnappers, which he said marked a turning point in the fight against the crime. Ladoja visited the president at the Presidential Villa to seek continued federal support for securing Oyo State, where the recent abduction of schoolchildren had sparked concern. He urged the government to maintain a strong military and security presence in the forest areas that connect Oyo and Niger states, emphasizing the need for ongoing surveillance to prevent the return of criminal elements. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu reiterated the government's commitment to addressing security challenges through a multifaceted approach. At a public event in Abuja, he announced the destruction of 2,819 illicit firearms, bringing the total number of decommissioned weapons to 19,000 since the initiative began. Ribadu emphasized that the elimination of illegal arms was a crucial component of the government's strategy to combat terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality. He credited the success of recent operations to intelligence-led strategies, inter-agency cooperation, and international partnerships. Ribadu also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens to assist security agencies by reporting suspicious activities and providing timely intelligence. He assured the public that the government was committed to protecting lives and property through consistent and visible actions, stressing that public trust must be earned through tangible results. As the debate over Nigeria's security landscape continues, the contrast between the critiques of former officials and the praise from political leaders highlights the complexity of the issue. While some argue that systemic underfunding and poor resource management have weakened the country's defenses, others point to recent successes in intelligence operations and interagency coordination as signs of progress. With the government pledging to continue its efforts in both military and non-military domains, the coming months will determine whether these initiatives translate into lasting improvements in national security.