At a time when many Nigerians are living in fear of kidnappers, bandits, and violent criminals, public officials must exercise caution, empathy, and responsibility in their public comments on the nation’s worsening security situation.
The recent remarks by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, cautioning against the politicisation of insecurity have generated mixed reactions across the country. While the minister argued that insecurity did not begin under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and warned politicians against exploiting the crisis for electoral advantage, many Nigerians believe such statements risk downplaying the painful realities confronting citizens daily.
The minister’s comments came at a period when families across the country continue to mourn loved ones lost to violent attacks.
Communities in several states remain vulnerable to armed banditry, kidnappings, and terrorist activities. In recent weeks, reports of schoolchildren, teachers, farmers, travelers, and ordinary citizens falling victim to criminal elements have once again highlighted the scale of Nigeria’s security challenge.
For many Nigerians, the issue is not whether insecurity started under the current administration. The concern is that insecurity remains a persistent national emergency requiring urgent, decisive, and measurable action.
Citizens who live under the constant threat of abduction are less interested in political arguments about when the problem began than in how it will be solved.
When innocent children and their teachers become targets of criminal gangs, public discourse must focus primarily on protecting lives and restoring public confidence. Victims of kidnapping and their families are unlikely to find comfort in debates over political blame.
What they seek is assurance that government at all levels is fully committed to ending the menace.
Security experts have repeatedly argued that insecurity thrives where governance gaps exist, intelligence gathering is weak, law enforcement capacity is inadequate, and socio-economic conditions create fertile ground for criminal recruitment.
Addressing these challenges requires more than political rhetoric; it demands coordinated action, accountability, and sustained investment in security infrastructure.
While Minister Umahi’s call against politicising insecurity may be well-intentioned, critics argue that public officials should equally acknowledge citizens’ frustrations.
Nigerians are justified in demanding explanations and results when lives are lost, schools are attacked, and communities are displaced.
The federal government has highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, including the N1.245 trillion Gombe-Biu Super Highway and other legacy road projects across the country.
Infrastructure development is undoubtedly important for economic growth and national integration.
However, roads, bridges, and highways can only deliver their full benefits when citizens can travel safely and conduct their daily activities without fear.
The reality remains that security is the foundation upon which development is built. Investors seek stability. Farmers require safety to cultivate their lands. Students need secure learning environments.
Businesses thrive only where law and order prevail.
Therefore, as government officials celebrate infrastructure milestones and development projects, equal attention must be paid to the security concerns that dominate the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Public confidence is strengthened not by dismissing concerns as political, but by demonstrating clear progress in protecting lives and property.
Insecurity is not merely a political talking point; it is a human tragedy affecting millions of Nigerians. The blood of innocent victims does not recognize political parties, ethnic identities, or regional boundaries. Every life lost is a national loss.
At this critical moment, Nigerians deserve more than assurances. They deserve concrete action, effective security strategies, and leadership that speaks with compassion to the fears and anxieties of the people.
The nation must rise above politics and confront insecurity as the existential challenge it has become.
Until every Nigerian can sleep peacefully, travel safely, and pursue legitimate livelihoods without fear, the conversation on insecurity will remain not a political debate but a matter of national survival.
Chief Ben Ngwakwe is a political analyst and public commentator based in Gombe State
