During an interview with SYMFONI, activist Omoyele Sowore delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s security architecture, arguing that the nation’s approach to combating crime and insurgency is deeply flawed and highly politicized.
He asserted that insecurity has become a lucrative enterprise for certain actors within the state, creating perverse incentives that undermine effective law enforcement.
Sowore explained that while the government often claims to be tackling terrorism and armed groups, there is a striking inconsistency in how operations are conducted.
He noted, for instance, that military and police forces frequently target defenseless villages with airstrikes or raids, yet fail to apprehend high-profile insurgent leaders, citing Boko Haram’s Shekau as a prime example.
Sowore suggested that this discrepancy is not due to a lack of intelligence or capacity, but rather to structural corruption and self-interest within the security apparatus.
According to Sowore, certain elements in government benefit from a persistent climate of fear and instability, allowing them to consolidate power, justify oversized budgets, and maintain influence over strategic regions.
The activist argued that insecurity in Nigeria is treated as a commodity—something that can be manipulated for financial, political, or social gain.
He said that officials sometimes deliberately avoid neutralizing key threats while focusing on lower-risk targets, effectively turning national security into a business opportunity rather than a public service.
Sowore stressed that this system of selective enforcement perpetuates a cycle of violence and deepens public mistrust in the government. Citizens, he noted, are left unprotected and vulnerable, while the elites continue to enjoy relative safety.
He further criticized the broader governance framework, highlighting that mismanagement of security resources has created a scenario where ordinary Nigerians bear the brunt of insecurity, while those responsible for enforcing the law evade accountability.
This, he argued, is a central factor behind the persistent failure to capture or neutralize notorious insurgents.
“Insecurity is big business in Nigeria; That’s why they can bomb villages but can’t arrest Shekau,” he said.
Sowore concluded by calling for a radical restructuring of Nigeria’s security institutions.
He urged the government to prioritize the protection of civilians over political or financial interests, close gaps in accountability, and ensure that those who orchestrate or benefit from insecurity are held responsible.
Only then, he insisted, can Nigeria hope to establish a genuinely effective and just security system.
If you love political news or like to get more news happening around the globe, use the button below to get more verified news happening around Nigeria and the world today.
Leave a Reply