Rising Insecurity Driven By Porous Borders, Foreign Infiltration – Candido

Former chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, has attributed Nigeria’s rising insecurity largely to porous borders, foreign criminal infiltration, and socio-economic challenges, while calling for patience with ongoing government reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The FCT Renewed Hope coordinator, disclosed this yesterday in an interview and recalled that during his tenure as AMAC chairman, insecurity was already emerging in certain areas of the council.

As a member of the FCT Security Committee, he said he participated in several meetings where security threats were discussed, noting that insecurity has since worsened nationwide.

According to him, the scale of violence being witnessed today, including banditry, kidnappings, and mass killings, is alien to Nigeria’s culture.

He argued that many of the perpetrators are not Nigerians but foreign criminals who have fled their home countries and infiltrated local communities.

“These criminals take advantage of our porous borders and also recruit idle youths who have nothing doing. While there are Nigerians involved, the majority are non-citizens who have been chased out of their countries,” he said.

Candido commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to tackle insecurity, insisting that the current administration has taken more decisive actions than some past governments, including those with military backgrounds.

He expressed optimism that sustained military pressure would gradually reduce security threats, though he acknowledged that the problem may not be completely eliminated in the short term.

He strongly advocated tighter border controls, suggesting that Nigeria should consider fencing and properly securing its borders to curb illegal entry.

“We need to know who is coming into this country and for what purpose. Our borders are too open, and that has contributed significantly to insecurity,” he said.

On the recent increase in taxes and levies by the FCT Administration, Candido defended the policy, describing taxation as a necessary tool for development and service delivery under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stressed that no nation grows without citizens contributing through taxes.

“If taxes are friendly and affordable, citizens should pay them and demand accountability. You cannot expect good roads, electricity, water, and other services without paying taxes,” he said, adding that government must be held accountable where taxes are collected without corresponding services.

He cited the removal of fuel subsidy as a bold but necessary policy that has increased revenue for states and local governments.

According to him, this is the first time subnational governments are receiving significantly higher allocations, and citizens should now demand improved services from their state and local leaders.

While acknowledging the hardship faced by Nigerians, Candido urged patience, saying reforms take time to yield results.

He called on government agencies to listen to citizens’ complaints and introduce measures to cushion the harsh effects of economic policies.

“As a member of the ruling party and also a Nigerian citizen, I believe the government must always listen to the cries of the people and find ways to ease the burden of its policies,” he said.