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Wanted: A Multi-dimensional Insecurity Offensive ~ by SOS/Sonala Olumhense
By SOS/Sonala Olumhense
As you may already have heard, the World Bank this week in Washington DC warned that poverty in Nigeria will increase by a whopping 3.6 percentage points through 2027.
That time span covers President Bola Tinubu’s first term and the beginning of his “Grab it, snatch it, run with it” second term.
The bank makes the disclosure in its Africa’s Pulse report (PDF) released at the ongoing Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. It said that non-resource-rich countries are expected to continue reducing poverty faster than resource-rich countries such as Nigeria.
The Bank reflects on the current predicament of African governments, as they must contend with rising social unrest, and calls for better security, basic services, and access to economic opportunities.
“Breaking the cycle of mistrust between people and their government requires changing the way governments provide for their citizens, building public confidence through providing efficient services and fair regulations,” it says.
The Bank describes 2024 as a year of youth protests in Africa, asserting that taking their demands seriously is key in the context of the demographic transition and youth migration. In July of that year, the Council on Foreign Relations characterized this as “A Sense of Foreboding” in Nigeria.
The report observes that the link between economic grievance and political stability runs both ways: pooreconomic opportunity exacerbates political discontent, while the risk of conflict and violence can severely undermine economic activity and investment.
“Escaping the cycle of poor growth outcomes and political grievances will require that governments prioritize the delivery of practical solutions for their citizens,” it says. “This implies focusing on areas where governments directly affect people’s lives—providing quality public services and fairly regulated market competition.”
The report notes that delivering such results will require a shift in the way many governments work: “away from rent-seeking and narrow power bases and toward more inclusive, transparent, and accountable service delivery and market oversight.”
But such a shift in governance is fundamental to building citizens’ trust, strengthening the social contract, and creating incentives for positive engagement between citizens and their governments, the report further states, affirming that governments must prioritize the delivery of practical solutions.
“Transparency can shape governments’ incentives to respond to citizens and curb opportunities for cronyism and clientelism. It is an important channel through which inclusive politics can redress government failures to deliver equitable services and opportunities.”
Among others, the report cites calls for better security, basic services, and access to economic opportunities as being at the heart of citizen discontent and lack of trust in government, stressing that existing growth and job opportunities are insufficient to meet the rapid expansion of the population.
While the report is about Africa, it obviously best describes Nigeria, already the poverty capital of the world, and the country that is the most insensitive to the notion of transparency and responsibility in government.
Consider, for instance, that in the same week, Mr. Tinubu finally returned from a gratuitous personal holiday abroad, one he took allegedly as a “working visit” while hunger and poverty mounted alongside egregious acts of insecurity.
What did he do about the insecurity as soon as he returned? You got it right: he gathered “security chiefs” in Abuja.
What did the meeting achieve? According to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, it was merely an opportunity to “brief” the president.
“We provided him with an update on what has been happening, including developments during his time away…Even while he was out of the country, he remained in constant touch. He gave directives and followed developments closely. Today, we who are in charge of security had the opportunity to brief him thoroughly—for hours. It was a very detailed and exhaustive session. We covered everything from A to Z.”
It was a public relations effort and a waste of time. To begin with, if the president had been in constant touchand was providing directives during his absence, what was the point of a “very detailed and exhaustive session”?
We have seen this for 10 straight years under the APC system: meetings of the powerful and secure in Aso Rock, Nigeria’s most secure real estate, while the country burns. If the president were serious, he mighthave taken his seriousness to one of the most affected states, thus demonstrating to the people that he means business. On his way back, he would have left behind some of the security chiefs with detailed instructions for them to report on progress being made every week.
The truth is that under Tinubu, as it was with Muhammadu Buhari, there is no clear definition of what constitutes insecurity, and if you cannot define a problem, you cannot define a strategy and or a solution. Remember that just last month, one of the top officials at this week’s meeting of “security chiefs” was solving the insecurity by saying that Nigerians should defend themselves. You cannot expect to win if you are responding in the same way or with the same machinery to terrorism, militancy, armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, and debilitating farmers-herdersclashes.
Nigerian leaders are failing to resolve the insecurity for this reason, responding by repeatedly gathering the presidential Security Summit to eat boneless fried chicken and drink tea. We are combating a complicated problem by the same blandness and insensitivity as sending Senate President Godswill Akpabio to lead a delegation of Catholic Bishops to the funeral of Pope Francis! [And no, I do not know why the Bishops agreed to that insult.]
What this means is simply that the poverty about which the World Bank eloquently warns will mutate and multiply rapidly because unless the government can reverse the insecurity firmly and quickly, Nigeria as a country is in grave danger.
Nigeria is not simply facing insecurity: she is facing insecurities, including from certain interests within the government, as well as large-scale incompetence and compromise. If we are to make any progress, we must first be clear what the fault lines are and then outline the best responses.
To repeat: it is inconceivable that for the better part of two decades, criminal gangs and militia have continuedto enjoy uninterrupted inflows of weapons and ammunition despite our plethora of intelligence agencies. It makes no sense that with the arsenals of technology and weaponry available to Nigeria’s security forces, these criminals have grown stronger. If that was partly attributable to the singular weakness and incompetence of Buhari, what excuse does Tinubu have, given that he can treat Nigeria’s ailments from France?
It is now one month before the Nigerian leader’s second anniversary, which will serve as the informal commencement of his campaign for a second term. Everybody knows that Tinubu did not win the 2023 election. And he has made the country significantly worse in his first two years, compromising basic values, and supplanting Buhari as Nigeria’s worsthypocrite and nepotist since independence.
Like the Bank, the world continues to warn Nigeria, as have many others, such as the London Financial Times,the World Street Journal The Economist, and the New York Times.
Enough of the empty air-conditioned security briefings! Execute a comprehensive, professional,multi-dimensional field offensive!!
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VIRAL VIDEO: Moment Yahaya Bello Orders Kogi State House Members to Sit on Floor, Gives Strict Directives
A viral video circulating on social media has captured former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello making newly elected State House of Assembly member, Hassan Shado, and his supporters sit on the floor during a meeting in Abuja.
The meeting took place at Bello’s residence on Monday, where he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to discuss party unity and responsibilities.
Shado, who won the Dekina-Okura II State Constituency by-election on August 16, was formally presented to the former governor.
INEC declared Shado the winner after he polled 55,073 votes, defeating Godwin Meliga of the PDP, who garnered 1,038 votes.
During the session, Bello emphasized that Shado must strictly obey the directives of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in all legislative matters.
He drew his ear to stress the importance of cooperation, warning the lawmaker to align with Assembly decisions even when he did not fully understand them.
Bello said, “Go and cooperate with the Speaker and other members of the House of Assembly. Support Governor Ododo in everything that comes to the Assembly, even if you don’t understand it.”
Bello also reminded Shado that political victories are collective achievements.
He stated, “No candidate wins an election alone. Your people worked tirelessly from nomination to election day. Do not let them down.”
He urged inclusivity, consultation, and collective leadership, emphasizing that unity remains the key to APC’s continued success in Kogi State.
The former governor praised the people of Kogi East for demonstrating unity, which he said had been lacking in the past.
He further expressed confidence that APC would retain all major political positions in upcoming elections, declaring, “Our President, Bola Tinubu, will be re-elected.
Governor Ododo will be re-elected. All our candidates will continue to win on our great party’s platform.”
Bello’s post-governorship period has been marked by controversy.
The EFCC accused him of diverting over N110 billion from Kogi State coffers during his tenure.
He evaded multiple court summons and even a failed arrest in Abuja that led to a shootout. Ultimately, Bello surrendered to the EFCC on November 26, 2024, after months of avoiding legal proceedings.
Despite his legal troubles, Bello maintains influence over APC lawmakers in Kogi and continues to assert political authority, as shown in the recent video with Shado.
Watch the video below.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has urged all Nigerians to acquire combat skills such as Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo to protect themselves in the face of increasing danger.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday, August 21, General Musa likened learning martial arts to other essential survival skills, including driving and swimming.
“That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim.
Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct,” he said.
He added that in Europe, swimming and basic security education are compulsory because citizens must understand and practice personal safety.
The defence chief emphasised that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) should incorporate unarmed combat training into its programme to prepare graduates for real-world threats.
He explained, “That’s what the NYSC is supposed to do, but the NYSC has been watered down to three weeks. Self-defence is very important.
Unarmed combat, swimming, driving these are critical aspects of human survival. We should never take them for granted because they prepare us for the future.”
General Musa further encouraged Nigerians to remain situationally aware of their environment, alerting authorities to any suspicious activities or individuals.
He said, “The world we are in now is dangerous. We have individuals who don’t mean people well. They kill for whatever reason.”
Highlighting evolving threats, General Musa disclosed that terrorists increasingly use gold to finance their operations.
He noted that complex international networks make it difficult to immediately expose or prosecute these financiers. “Gold is the main source.
They circulate it through various channels, including foreign links, which complicates intervention,” he explained.
General Musa acknowledged that bad roads and challenging terrains hinder rapid military response to attacks.
He said, “Many Nigerians expect immediate intervention from the Armed Forces without understanding the logistical challenges. By the time information reaches us, terrorists have already struck and vanished because they move more quickly in these regions.”
He added that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the North-East further slow troop movement.
Regarding the Southeast, General Musa noted that the arrest of pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland in November 2024 has improved security in the region.
He said, “Troops are actively pursuing Ekpa’s lieutenants in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Abia states. We will continue operations until all threats are neutralised.”
The CDS also praised the synergy among the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy, which led to the arrest of Ansaru terrorist leaders, describing it as a major success in the fight against terrorism.
General Musa concluded by announcing an African Chiefs of Defence Staff conference to foster continental collaboration and enhance regional security efforts.
Detectives from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a man posing as a medical doctor following the death of a 35-year-old woman, Blessing Sunday Etim, during an alleged illegal abortion.
The suspect, identified as Sunday Okon Akpan, reportedly owns and operates the Full Life Medical Centre (FLMC) in Ikot Obio Odongo, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Timfon John, the spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom Police Command, revealed that police launched a search for the victim after receiving a distress call from her mother.
DSP John stated that operatives acted quickly following the report, which indicated that Blessing had gone to work at the FLMC and never returned.
According to police reports, the suspect attempted to secretly dispose of the victim’s body in her room.
A co-tenant, who witnessed the act, raised an alarm, forcing the suspect to abandon the corpse and flee the scene.
Police quickly arrived at the scene, where detectives discovered a premature foetus, confirming the occurrence of an illegal abortion.
Police traced and arrested Sunday Okon Akpan, a resident of Afaha Offiong village, Nsit Ibom LGA.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect is not a licensed medical doctor or nurse but a community health practitioner who allegedly used his clinic to perform illegal medical procedures, including abortions.
The health centre has since been found abandoned.
DSP John confirmed that the victim’s body has been deposited at a morgue for preservation and autopsy, while investigations continue to uncover more details surrounding the incident.
She also promised to update the public as the probe progresses.
This shocking incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed medical practitioners operating clinics and offering illegal procedures.
Police authorities are warning residents to verify the credentials of anyone offering medical services and to report suspicious activities to prevent similar tragedies.
As the investigation unfolds, Akwa Ibom police have vowed to ensure that justice is served, and the public remains safe from unqualified medical practitioners operating in the state.
The Trump administration has announced a sweeping review of more than 55 million foreigners holding US visas, aiming to identify potential violations that could trigger visa revocation or deportation.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders are now subject to “continuous vetting.”
Officials will examine any indicators of ineligibility, including overstaying authorised periods, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engagement in terrorism, or support for terrorist organisations.
If authorities find evidence of such violations, they will revoke the visa, and individuals already in the US could face immediate deportation.
Officials stressed that the review targets both individuals residing in the United States and those holding multiple-entry visas abroad.
Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has prioritized strict immigration enforcement, targeting not only undocumented migrants but also holders of student and visitor exchange visas.
The current vetting process extends far beyond prior reviews, potentially affecting individuals who initially received approval to stay in the US.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, last year the US had 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas.
Immigration policy expert Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute noted that the 55 million figure likely includes individuals living abroad with tourist or business visas. She questioned whether allocating resources to review people unlikely to return justifies the scale of the initiative.
Alongside the review, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will immediately halt work visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety risks and threats to American jobs.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio wrote.
The administration recently strengthened English proficiency requirements for foreign truckers following incidents where language barriers contributed to accidents. State Department officials confirmed they are pausing the processing of new work visas to reassess screening and vetting protocols.
“Ensuring that every driver meets the highest standards protects American workers and maintains a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department added.
Experts warn the broader implications of the review could ripple across the US economy. Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained that the administration’s policies aim to discourage companies, universities, and hospitals from employing foreign workers.
“The economic consequences will extend far beyond individual visas,” Alden said, emphasizing that employers risk compliance issues if they continue hiring foreign staff.
The review represents the most comprehensive enforcement action in recent US history and signals that the administration will aggressively monitor both legal and temporary visa holders to maintain national security and prioritize domestic employment.
The 2023 Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has warned Nigerians that the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is giving false hope about rescuing the country from underdevelopment.
“They are deceiving us,” Baba-Ahmed said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
Baba-Ahmed, who ran alongside Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed his willingness to be Obi’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election.
Although Obi has shown interest in the 2027 race and is aligning with ADC coalition figures such as David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, Baba-Ahmed stressed that he wants Obi to remain in the Labour Party and contest as its presidential candidate.
“I’m in the Labour Party. I’m a Peter Obi man. I still want Peter Obi to come back to the Labour Party and contest the 2027 election,” Baba-Ahmed stated.
When asked about his plans for the 2027 race, Baba-Ahmed confirmed his readiness to serve as a running mate for like-minded leaders committed to restoring Nigeria.
“If Nigeria is still around and there is an electoral system to follow, my love for Nigeria is undying.
I would appropriately associate with groups and individuals aligned with restoring the nation,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed also revealed two potential leaders he would consider deputising, with Peter Obi being his primary choice. “The first one has not said anything.
The second one is Peter Obi. I’m always with Peter Obi until he decides not to,” he added.
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