Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for a comprehensive national security strategy, warning that isolated measures will not adequately address Nigeria’s growing insecurity challenges.
Obi made the call in a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesman, Ibrahim Umar, in which he reacted to reports that President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of about 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State.
The former Anambra governor described the move as evidence of what he termed a reactive approach to governance, arguing that security interventions should be guided by a coordinated national framework rather than ad hoc decisions.
While acknowledging the need to strengthen security personnel across the country, Obi questioned whether similar approvals would be granted to other states facing security threats.
He noted that insecurity is not limited to a particular region, citing states such as Oyo, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Niger, Imo and Sokoto as areas grappling with serious security concerns.
According to him, a nationwide policy would require extending such recruitment to all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, raising questions about the overall structure, implementation and sustainability of the initiative.
Obi also expressed concern about the relationship between the proposed forest guards and existing security structures, including the Amotekun Corps in the South-West, which already assists in local security operations.
The NDC flagbearer argued that Nigeria’s security crisis is rooted in broader governance failures and cannot be solved through isolated interventions alone. He maintained that the country needs an integrated approach that addresses leadership, institutional effectiveness and economic opportunities alongside security operations.
He further linked insecurity to wider developmental challenges, saying persistent violence has undermined agriculture, industrial growth, tourism and the productive use of the nation's natural resources.
Obi stressed that improving security would not only save lives but also create an environment conducive to investment, economic expansion and job creation for young Nigerians.
He concluded by expressing confidence that Nigeria can overcome its current challenges through effective leadership, strategic planning and policies aimed at tackling the underlying causes of insecurity.
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