Insecurity: Experts Reject More Summits, Demand Tough Action Against Terror Sponsors
Oru Leonard
LAGOS – Security experts, legal practitioners, economists and civil society stakeholders have urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to move beyond declarations and conferences in tackling nation’s worsening insecurity, insisting that decisive action, stronger legislation and improved coordination among security agencies are urgently needed.
The calls followed the recent proposal by the Senate to convene another national security summit and the demand by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for a state of emergency on insecurity.
Executive Director of Kingdom Advocacy Network (KAN), Dr. Victor Mathew, described the proposed summit as unnecessary, arguing that Nigeria requires practical measures rather than another round of discussions.
According to him, the country’s current security architecture has proven inadequate in addressing terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. He advocated the establishment of state police, empowerment of local vigilante groups and hunters, deployment of advanced surveillance technology, and a determined crackdown on sponsors and financiers of insecurity.
While supporting CAN’s call for urgent intervention, Mathew maintained that declaring a state of emergency alone would not resolve the crisis without concrete reforms and intelligence-driven operations.
Other stakeholders echoed similar concerns. Human rights lawyer, Barrister Olalekan Festus Ojo, said both proposals could only succeed if backed by implementation, accountability and constitutional safeguards. He stressed the need for improved intelligence gathering, community policing, judicial reforms and prosecution of criminal financiers.
Economist and APC chieftain, Professor John Ebhomien, noted that security summits often generate useful recommendations but frequently fail due to poor execution. He argued that meaningful progress depends on political will, adequate funding and reforms that empower local security structures.
Meanwhile, the Apostolic Round Table (ART) has advised churches nationwide to temporarily suspend night vigils and other late-night programmes due to rising attacks, abductions and killings.
The group also called for a review of security arrangements in schools and churches, urging religious organisations to strengthen safety measures to protect worshippers and students.
The stakeholders agreed that Nigeria’s security crisis requires urgent action, effective coordination among security agencies, prosecution of terror sponsors and sustained political commitment rather than declarations and conferences alone.
