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From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Hon Ifeanyi Ogbonna, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decisive response to Nigeria’s renewed security challenges, while also praising Abia-North Lawmaker, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s complementary efforts at the legislative and regional levels to curb insecurity and protect lives and property.
Ogbonna, a prominent stakeholder in Arochukwu and Ohafia Local Government Areas, popularly known as Ignes and youth leader stated that the Tinubu administration’s security measures reflect strong political will, clarity of purpose, and an uncompromising stance against criminality.
The eminent Business Tycoon cum Politician noted that Senator Kalu has remained a key ally in advancing the President’s security agenda through strategic oversight and cross-border engagement.
In a statement he personally signed issued on Saturday in Abuja, Ogbonna described President Tinubu’s actions as “proactive, decisive, and timely,” adding that they represent “a necessary step toward restoring peace and stability across Nigeria.”
“One of the President’s landmark decisions is the withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs amid escalating insecurity,” Ogbonna said. “This bold move will undoubtedly strengthen efforts to combat banditry and kidnapping nationwide by redeploying security resources to areas of greater need.”
He also hailed the appointment of retired General Christopher Musa as Minister of Defence, describing it as a sound judgment at a critical moment. “The President’s choice reflects sound judgment, and I am confident in the Minister’s capacity to significantly degrade and ultimately defeat terrorism in Nigeria,” he stated.
Ogbonna cited recent battlefield successes as evidence that the administration’s strategy is yielding results, referencing the repulsion of a coordinated attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on a Forward Operating Base in Mairari, Borno State. “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled the attack, neutralising the terrorists and preventing any breach of the facility,” in which two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) were detected and neutralised.
Calling for tougher deterrence, the APC chieftain urged the President to work with the judiciary and security agencies to fast-track the implementation of the Senate’s resolution recommending the death penalty for bandits and kidnappers.
According to him, “this measure will serve as a strong deterrent, particularly to the sponsors and financiers of insecurity in the country.”
Ogbonna further outlined key outcomes of the administration’s zero-tolerance approach, saying, “Since assuming office, the President’s stance against criminality has led to the neutralisation of over 8,000 terrorists and bandits, the arrest of more than 11,600 criminals, and the recovery of over 10,000 weapons in 2024 alone.” He added that the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) has “significantly enhanced coordination and intelligence-sharing.”
Beyond security, Ogbonna acknowledged progress across other sectors, including the economy, infrastructure, education, agriculture, and healthcare. “While these improvements are still a work in progress, I remain optimistic that the President’s reforms will have a lasting positive impact and provide a strong basis for Nigerians to reaffirm their confidence through a second-term mandate in 2027,” he said.
Turning to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Ogbonna praised the former Abia State governor for complementing President Tinubu’s security drive, particularly on cross-border threats. He noted that Senator Kalu recently played a leading role in a high-powered Nigerian delegation to Cameroon, led by Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, on a security assessment mission aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation against terrorism and transnational crimes.
Ogbonna also highlighted Senator Kalu’s leadership in the Senate, especially his role as Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Safe School Initiative. “This responsibility reflects the confidence of his colleagues,” he said, adding that the committee is probing “billions of naira and millions of dollars expended over the past decade” amid persistent attacks on schools and mass abductions.
He disclosed that the 18-member committee has begun unraveling issues surrounding funding, implementation, and performance of the initiative.
“Finally, I commend Senator Kalu’s unwavering investments in education, infrastructure, and the empowerment of the people of Abia North,” Ogbonna concluded. “We are proud of his efforts and urge him not to relent in his service to the nation.”
