Listen to the article
Nigerian political will, not U.S. military aid, key to addressing insecurity, says Ikubese
Political will, rather than U.S. military support, is what Nigeria urgently needs to tackle its persistent security challenges, according to Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, a former presidential aspirant and convener of the YesWeFit Revolutionary Movement.
Ikubese’s comments come in response to recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who declared he had instructed the Defense Department to prepare for possible “fast” military action in Nigeria following reports of widespread killings and alleged genocide against Christians in the country.
“For several years, our political leaders have allowed bandits, kidnappers and terrorists to operate unhindered across virtually all the states in Nigeria,” Ikubese said in a statement released in Akure. His critique highlights what he describes as a concerning pattern of government inaction and interference in security operations.
The former presidential hopeful cited troubling instances where security forces reportedly surrounded or apprehended criminal elements only to release them following “orders from above.” He claimed many security personnel have lost their lives because they were restrained from engaging terrorists when necessary, pointing to systemic issues in Nigeria’s security response framework.
Ikubese referenced recent statements by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, who reportedly claimed to know the locations of terrorists but felt powerless to act because security agencies fall under federal, not state, control. This highlights the ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s federal system regarding security jurisdiction and response capabilities.
Further underscoring his concerns, Ikubese pointed to viral videos showing hundreds of heavily armed terrorists arriving for “peace negotiations” with government officials, with some dressed in military camouflage. These images have fueled public anxiety and international concern about the Nigerian government’s approach to counterterrorism.
The apparent normalization of insecurity by Nigeria’s political class, according to Ikubese, has prompted various groups to appeal for U.S. intervention—appeals that likely contributed to Trump’s threat of military action.
“What Nigerians want is a safe nation where individuals can practice their faith without fear and travel across the country without the threat of kidnapping,” Ikubese emphasized. He suggested that had the Nigerian government effectively addressed these security concerns, external intervention would not be under consideration.
Responding to the Nigerian government’s recent calls for U.S. military assistance rather than designation as a “Country of Particular Concern,” Ikubese maintained that such aid would be insufficient without corresponding political commitment from Nigerian leadership.
“Far above military support, Nigeria needs political will,” he stressed. “Even if the U.S. provides the best equipment and intelligence, political will is required to deploy them effectively.”
The security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated in recent years, with escalating kidnappings, banditry, and terrorist activities across multiple regions. The complex crisis involves various armed groups, including Boko Haram and bandits operating in the northwest and central regions.
Ikubese called on President Bola Tinubu to convene an urgent meeting with service chiefs and issue unambiguous directives to eliminate terrorists and their sponsors, regardless of their status or connections to power centers.
“Throwing shades at the American government, embarking on propaganda, or seeking an audience with President Trump without taking decisive action will amount to futility,” he warned, adding that effective domestic action by the Nigerian government would have precluded any need for Pentagon involvement.
The comments reflect growing frustration among Nigerian political figures and citizens with the persistent security challenges facing Africa’s most populous nation, and skepticism about whether external military assistance, without internal reform and commitment, can address the root causes of the crisis.
Verify This Yourself
Use these professional tools to fact-check and investigate claims independently
Reverse Image Search
Check if this image has been used elsewhere or in different contexts
Ask Our AI About This Claim
Get instant answers with web-powered AI analysis
Related Fact-Checks
See what other fact-checkers have said about similar claims
Want More Verification Tools?
Access our full suite of professional disinformation monitoring and investigation tools
11 Comments
This article raises some valid concerns about the role of the Nigerian government and security forces in the ongoing insecurity challenges. The author’s call for more direct action and political will, rather than relying on propaganda or external military aid, seems well-founded. The alleged instances of security forces being ordered to release criminal elements are particularly worrying and deserve further examination.
The author makes a compelling case that Nigeria’s security issues require a more direct, accountable approach from the government, rather than relying on foreign military support or propaganda. Instances of security forces being ordered to release criminal elements are particularly troubling and warrant further investigation. Addressing the political will and root causes seems crucial.
The author makes a compelling argument that Nigeria needs to tackle its security issues more directly, through political will and accountability, rather than just seeking foreign military support. The reported cases of security forces being ordered to release criminal elements are very concerning and warrant deeper investigation. Addressing root causes, as the author suggests, appears crucial to resolving the country’s insecurity challenges.
It’s concerning to hear about the apparent interference in security operations by political leaders in Nigeria. If true, that would severely undermine efforts to address the country’s insecurity challenges. I agree that the focus should be on building domestic political will and addressing root causes, rather than seeking quick military fixes from abroad.
This is an interesting perspective on the security challenges in Nigeria. It’s clear that political will and addressing root causes are crucial, beyond just relying on foreign military support. I’m curious to hear more about the specific instances where security forces were reportedly ordered to release criminal elements – that seems very problematic if true.
This article raises some valid concerns about the role of the Nigerian government and security forces in the ongoing insecurity challenges. I agree with the author’s call for more direct action and political will, rather than relying on propaganda or external military aid. The alleged instances of security forces being ordered to release criminal elements are particularly worrying and deserve further examination.
The author makes a compelling case that Nigeria’s security challenges require a more direct, accountable approach from the government, beyond just seeking foreign military support. The reported cases of security forces being ordered to release criminal elements are especially concerning and warrant further investigation. Addressing the political will and root causes, as suggested, seems crucial to resolving the country’s insecurity issues.
This article raises important questions about the role of government and security forces in Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity. Tackling the issue directly, as the author suggests, rather than relying on propaganda or external military aid, seems like the right approach. I hope the government heeds this call for stronger political will and accountability.
This is a thought-provoking take on Nigeria’s security challenges. I agree that political will and accountability within the government are key, beyond just seeking external military aid. The alleged instances of security forces being ordered to release criminal elements are especially concerning and deserve further scrutiny. Tackling the problem directly, as the author suggests, seems like the right approach.
This is an interesting perspective on the security situation in Nigeria. I agree that the government needs to demonstrate stronger political will and accountability in addressing the root causes of the insecurity, rather than relying on propaganda or external military aid. The alleged instances of security forces being ordered to release criminal elements are particularly troubling and deserve further scrutiny.
Interesting perspective on the security issues in Nigeria. The author makes a fair point that political will and addressing root causes are more important than just seeking foreign military support. The reported cases of security forces being ordered to release criminal elements are very troubling and warrant investigation. Hopefully the government heeds the call for a more direct, accountable approach.