Former Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung has delivered a blistering critique of Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, asserting that the root cause lies not in any deficiency of the armed forces but in a glaring lack of political will and decisive leadership from the top.
In an interview aired on Symfoni TV on Sunday, January 25, 2026, Dalung insisted that Nigerian troops possess both the courage and professional competence needed to decisively defeat terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements—if only they were given clear, resolute orders and unwavering support from the political authorities.
He maintained that the rising tide of killings, mass abductions, and brazen coordinated attacks across the country is symptomatic of a leadership vacuum rather than military weakness. According to Dalung, the soldiers are ready and capable; what is missing is the political courage to unleash them fully.
Highlighting the elite status of Nigeria’s military on the continent, Dalung emphasized that troops operate strictly within a chain of command. No matter how skilled or brave they are, he argued, they cannot end the insecurity without firm, unambiguous directives from the Commander-in-Chief. He expressed strong conviction that the security situation would change dramatically overnight if the right orders were issued.
To drive home his point about the military’s latent strength, Dalung made a striking declaration: “If you like, disarm the entire Nigerian military there; ask them to face Bello Turji, and they will root them out and sack them.” The comment was meant to underscore that soldiers have both the heart and the tactical ability to dismantle notorious bandit leaders like Bello Turji who continue to terrorize the Northwest.
Dalung explained that military personnel are trained to obey commands without hesitation. When ordered to advance, they do so fearlessly. In his assessment, the prolonged survival of insurgent and criminal groups stems from a lack of political resolve to launch a comprehensive, no-holds-barred offensive—an apparent hesitation that has only emboldened the perpetrators.
He expressed grave concern over the evolving pattern of violence, noting the shift from isolated rural kidnappings in forests to overt, large-scale invasions of villages, markets, and places of worship. This escalation, he warned, is steadily eroding public confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives and property.
Dalung cautioned that continued failure to restore security risks breeding widespread disillusionment, deepening the disconnect between citizens and the state, and potentially fueling further instability. He reminded authorities that protecting lives and ensuring public safety remains the most fundamental duty of any government and must be treated with absolute urgency and seriousness.
His remarks have added fresh intensity to the national debate over military effectiveness, political accountability, and the urgent need for decisive action to halt the spiraling violence across the country.
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