Nigerian insecurity bigger than security agencies’ capacity — Osun group warns

An Osun State-based civil society organization, The Osun Masterminds (TOM), has raised alarm over the growing insecurity across Nigeria, warning that the crisis is beginning to exceed the capacity of the current national security architecture.

Speaking during the July edition of the “State of the State Address” in Osogbo on Monday, TOM Executive Director, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently overhaul the country’s security framework. He emphasized the need to remove incompetent security personnel and ensure adequate motivation for frontline officers.

“We are saddened by the level of insecurity in the country, which is beginning to look bigger than the capacity of our current security architecture,” Oyedokun-Alli said. “The killings in the North Central and widespread reports of insecurity call for an immediate review of our counter-terrorism policies and national security strategy.”

The group cautioned that national disintegration is a real threat if the crisis is not urgently addressed. “Mr. President must realize that securing Nigeria is more important than any re-election ambition. He must not allow Nigeria to disintegrate under his watch, as this will place his name on the wrong side of history,” Oyedokun-Alli added.

TOM also expressed condolences to the Osun Amotekun Corps and the family of the officer killed in a recent clash involving a military personnel. However, the group criticized the local security outfit for frequently overstepping its mandate.

“We sympathize with the family of the slain officer and the Osun Amotekun. However, we must again raise concerns over repeated reports of abuse, oppression, and unlawful actions by some members of the corps,” the TOM director stated.

He called on the leadership of Amotekun to rein in erring officers or retrain them in line with the corps’ legal mandate, warning that continued infractions may lead to leadership being held accountable.