Follow Us on Google
From Isaac Job, Uyo
Former Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal, Chief Ndueso Essien, has said focused leadership would tackle insecurity headlong, stop genocide and insecurity confronting the nation.
He lamented the wave of killings, kidnappings and coordinated terrorists’ attacks, which had painted a picture of Nigeria as a nation in distress.
In a statement titled, “On the worsening security situation in Nigeria,” he recalled that recently, Brigadier General Musa Uba was killed by terrorists while three of his colleagues were abducted and executed by terrorists in Borno State.
Essien said his concerns were necessary as a Nigerian, who has served at the highest levels of government, adding that the killings in recent times were unprecedented.
The statement read in parts: “I address the nation with a heavy heart and a profound sense of responsibility.
“As a Nigerian who has served at the highest levels of government, I am deeply troubled by the alarming deterioration of security across our country.
“The recent wave of killings, kidnappings and coordinated terrorists’ attacks, paint the picture of a nation in distress.”
Essien, while narrating the spate of killings in many parts of Nigeria, said many Nigerians had lost their lives in the hands of terrorists.
“In the last few days alone, Brigadier General Musa Uba and three of his men had been kidnapped and executed in Borno State.
“Over 64 citizens, including women and children, were abducted in Zamfara’s Tsafe Local Government Area. In Kebbi, 25 female students and their principal were kidnapped, and their vice principal killed. Christians praying in Kwara were attacked, leaving three dead and 38 kidnapped.
A police officer was killed in Geidam, Yobe State. In Gwoza, eight Civilian Joint Task Force members were murdered and three kidnapped.
“In Sokoto, 15 people, nursing mothers and newborns among them, were abducted and two killed. Only days ago, more than 300 students were kidnapped from a catholic school in Niger State.”
Essien observed that strong and focused leadership were necessary to tackle insecurity but regretted that President Bola Tinubu has not responded with the alacrity needed in the situation.
He recalled that Tinubu was among the loudest critics of former President Goodluuck Jonathan’s administration demanding accountability for lives lost but could not rise to occasion during the insurgency at the moment.
“Strong and focused leadership is essential in a time like this. Sadly, the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu has not demonstrated the urgency or clarity required.
“President Tinubu was once among the loudest critics of the Jonathan administration, demanding accountability for every life lost. Today, the insecurity he decried has worsened dramatically, yet the leadership he promised has not materialised.”
The former minister observed that the appointment of an amateur defence minister without experience in defence operations was another setback for the nation’s security architecture in the fight against terrorism.
“At a time when Nigeria is fighting highly adaptive terrorist networks, the defence sector must be led by individuals with strategic insight, operational competence and deep knowledge of security matters.
“Defence is not a political reward; it is the backbone of national survival.
“Allegations that some officials harbour sympathies for terrorist groups or maintain questionable links with them only deepen public anxiety. A nation cannot defeat terror when elements of its security architecture may be compromised.”
Essien maintained that Nigeria must abandon the culture of excuses and political diversions that conceal real issues, adding that the primary responsibility of government is to protect its citizens.
“It is counterproductive to shape national security decisions around the perceived sensitivities of foreign leaders.
“The killings are happening on Nigerian soil; the victims are Nigerians. Our leaders must prioritise Nigeria.”
