Opinion
Tackling Insecurity In Nigeria
Insecurity has become a
global phenomenon. And there is no absolute peace or safety in any part of the world. The United Nations’ peace – keeping operation is yielding result in terms of peace making in some war-torn countries. But the fact is total peace is unrealisable considering the magnitude of crises in the world. Billions of dollars are spent by countries of the world in a bid to restore world’s peace but to no avail. If it is not ‘organized crimes, it will be one man riot squad to cause mayhem in the world. The United Nations peace keeping mission has over-streched the military of memebr nations.
Though in Nigeria, there is no presence of United Nations peace keeping force. But the volatle nature of the north-east of the country is a threat to peace, development and economic development of the nation. The activities of Boko Haram has scared away. foreign investors from Nigeria.
The news about Boko Haram may be mild within the country but it is wild and scary when one hears it outside Nigeria. The incessant bombings and killings by the sect are worrisome and heart-breaking. It is worthy to note that the villagers and people around the crises areas are living in great fear.
The world is said to be a global village as a result of advancement in science and technology. The magnitude of crises in the world is alarming and life threatening. In Nigeria, militancy has caused serious insecurity in the land. It is on this premises that every Nigerian should support the Federal Government and state governments witnessing insecurity to curtail it.
Just recently, militants attacked the military police killing hundreds of people in Egypt’s Sinai area. Again, a twenty-one year old boy killed nine (9) persons in a church in North Carolina in United States. Cult clash is also common in almost every community in Nigeria. Insecurity is not common in Nigeria alone; it is found everywhere. It is a global threat to existence of life on earth. Insecurity does no one any good, rather it destroys the people and makes life miserable for the survivors.
Today, life is not safe in any part of the world as a result of insecurity, and that is why every Rivers person should join hands with the Rivers State government under the leadership of Chief Ezebunwo Nyeson to stamp out insecurity in the state. In the same vein, Nigerians should join hands with the federal government under the leadership of Mohammadu Buhari to eradicate terrorism in Nigeria.
Some weeks ago the president visited some neighbouring countries to discuss how to come together to fight terrorism in the region. Indeed, Nigeria and other nations of the world are facing severe insecurity in this times. It is obvious that insecurity has made some investments and infrastructural development to be at a state of comatose. And that is the more reason why every right thinking Nigerian should support the government in tackling insecurity in the land. There is no gain-saying that there is no insecurity in Nigeria. With the negative happenings around the world, it calls for support to fight the monster called terrorism. In Nigeria alone, well over 3,000 people have lost their lives and hundreds ·of thousands displaced from their villages and towns.
The military should be equipped with modern fighting ammunition and training and retraining of military personnel should be improved upon. The Nigeria Police Force should also be given adequate amunition and vehicles to fight kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism. As at today, no state in the federation is free from insecurity. Every Nigerian as a matter of urgency should support the government to win the war against insecurity for safety, peace and progress to be restored. There is no better time than now. Insecurity does not respect anyone, therefore all hands must on deck to fight it in the land.
Our effort to fight insecurity in the country will not produce results if jobs are not created. Although lack of jobs cannot be a viable excuse for the widespread commission of crime, it, however, serves as incentive.
Also, our country has to be like other nations, particularly in the West, in fighting crime. The crime rate in these nations would have been higher but for the deployment of technology which has proved to be a veritable tool in the checking and prevention of crime.
Let us use technology to prevent crime in our society. Crime prevention is the in-thing. Our law enforcement agents must be well taken care of and be properly trained as well. Equipping them with modern equipment is imperative.
It is unarguable that insecurity has become a global problem especially the dimension it has taken. But in Nigeria’s case, it is worsened by the activities of our politicians who arm jobless youths and cultists to harass and intimidate their political opponents in order to win election. After the election, these politicians leave the boys they have utilized unengaged. They also not in a position to determine how the youths use the guns thereafter. This they end up committing crime with their weapons.
The fight against insecurity is a collective one. But government has a bigger role to play. Sound policies and the promotion of functional education can assist greatly. But above all, a social security scheme should be worked out as a long term measure to prevent insecurity in the country.
Ogwuonuonu is a public affairs analyst.
Frank Ogwuonuonu
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Opinion
Checking Herdsmen Rampage
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
Opinion
Is Nigeria Democratic Nation?
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.
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