Killings: Onyema Faults Govt Response To Rising Insecurity

A 2027 presidential aspirant under the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Francis Onyema, has raised alarm over the worsening security situation in Nigeria following fresh attacks in Jos and Kaduna that reportedly left over 40 people dead.

In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja, Onyema described the killings as “deeply troubling,” noting that the separate attacks by suspected terrorists also left many others injured and displaced, with communities thrown into mourning.

He criticised what he termed the government’s reactive approach to insecurity, lamenting that authorities often respond only after significant damage has been done.

“It is even more troubling that there appear to be no clear plans to nip these security challenges in the bud, except the imposition of curfews by state authorities—alas, only after these dastardly acts of terrorism had already wreaked havoc on ordinary Nigerians,” he said.

The NRM chieftain warned that Nigeria cannot afford to continue responding to attacks after lives have been lost, stressing that such an approach weakens public confidence in the country’s security framework.

“A government that waits for tragedy before acting cannot claim to be winning the fight against insecurity,” Onyema added.

He identified the proliferation of arms among non-state actors as a major driver of the persistent violence, describing it as both a serious threat to national security and a challenge to Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“Arms, no matter how small, in the possession of non-state actors are not only a grave security threat but also an affront to our sovereignty as a nation,” he stated.

Onyema also called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently outline and implement clear strategies to tackle the crisis, warning that failure to act decisively should prompt resignation.

“President Bola Tinubu must clearly articulate policies and implement them as a matter of urgency to deal decisively with these mind-boggling security challenges or resign honourably, just as his ministers and appointees,” he said.

He further urged Nigerians to critically evaluate the ideas and strategies of all aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly regarding how they intend to address insecurity and curb the proliferation of illegal arms.

“As Nigerians, we have every reason to be worried. The government we elected appears to have no clear ideas on how to prevent the killings of our brothers and sisters,” Onyema said.

He emphasised that protecting lives remains the foremost responsibility of any government, warning that the country cannot continue on its current trajectory.

“The protection of lives must remain the first responsibility of the government,” he concluded.