Former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Nduese Essien, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to swiftly identify and prosecute individuals financing or aiding terrorism, regardless of their influence, class, or political connections.
In a statement issued in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, Essien also criticised recent appointments in the defence sector, arguing that some ministers lack the security expertise needed to lead at a time when Nigeria faces rapidly evolving terror threats.
He noted that defence positions should not serve as political compensation, stressing the need for leaders with strategic understanding and operational experience.
According to him, “The appointments of defence ministers with little or no experience in security matters are troubling. As Nigeria battles highly adaptive terrorist networks, the sector must be led by those with deep knowledge and competence. Defence is not a political reward; it is the backbone of national survival. Allegations that some officials may be linked to terrorist groups only worsen public fears.”
Essien called for a comprehensive national security strategy centred on intelligence-driven operations, community-based security collaboration, and better-equipped and motivated armed forces.
He added that Nigeria must confront the reality that terrorism is often enabled by collaborators within political and security structures and insisted that all sponsors or protectors of terrorists must be exposed and punished.
Citing recent kidnappings and killings across several states, Essien condemned the growing frequency of attacks, warning that terrorism has reached an intolerable level.
He highlighted cases such as the kidnapping and killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba in Borno; the abduction of over 64 residents in Zamfara; the kidnapping of female students and school officials in Kebbi; attacks on worshippers in Kwara; and the mass abduction of students in Niger State.
“These tragedies have become daily realities, and Nigeria is dangerously close to normalizing terror,” he said, urging urgent, decisive action.
