Four security experts have evaluated President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in combating terrorism and banditry over the past year as “below average.”
Victoria Ekhomu, Shehu Sadeeq, Kurfi Garba, and Alfred Ononugbo shared their assessments during a special program on Channels Television commemorating Tinubu’s first year in office.
Despite Tinubu’s promises to prioritize the security of citizens and residents, the experts noted ongoing security challenges across the country, including rampant kidnapping-for-ransom and insurgent attacks in the North-East and North-West regions.
They also highlighted the insecurity on highways in both the Southern and Northern regions.
While acknowledging some achievements, such as the neutralization of terrorist commanders and the rescue of kidnapped individuals, the experts emphasized the need for significant improvement.
Victoria Ekhomu, Managing Director of Transworld Security Systems Limited, described Tinubu’s performance as “below average,” citing persistent security threats and the need for more effective spending on security measures. She advocated for the establishment of state police to enhance security responsiveness.
Retired Group Captain Shehu Sadeeq gave Tinubu’s anti-terrorism efforts a score of 45%, emphasizing the importance of accountability and caution in the establishment of state police. He suggested a model of state police that maintains both federal and state government control to prevent potential abuse of power.
Kurfi Garba, CEO of APT Securities, echoed the sentiment of minimal improvement in security over the past year, particularly in regions heavily affected by banditry. He stressed the urgency of a holistic approach to addressing security challenges and the need for increased deployment of security personnel.
Alfred Ononugbo, CEO of Bell Protocol and Security Support Services, underscored the longstanding nature of Nigeria’s security issues and emphasized the importance of investing in better weapons and improving the welfare of security agents. He highlighted the need for incentives such as scholarships for security agents’ children to boost morale and effectiveness in combating terrorism.
The assessments from these security experts shed light on the complexities of Nigeria’s security landscape and underscore the challenges facing the Tinubu administration in its efforts to address them effectively.