SECURITY REFORMS NOW: Experts Warn of Grim Consequences if Nigeria Fails to Address Security Challenges

Mike Odeh James

Nigeria’s security challenges took center stage at the 9th House of Justice Summit, where Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq., CEO of House of Justice, delivered a powerful address. The summit, held on November 29, 2024, at the Epitome Events Centre in Kaduna, Nigeria, brought together experts to discuss the country’s pressing security concerns.

According to Ballason, the insurgency in Nigeria, which began in 2009, has resulted in over 350,000 deaths and millions more affected. She emphasized the need for the Nigerian state to acknowledge its present reality and apply international rules to address the crisis. Ballason also stressed that the quantum and span of this insurgency justify its acknowledgement as belligerency.

Ballason further emphasized that Nigeria’s security challenges are more than kinetic, citing non-kinetic challenges such as poverty, economic hardship, weak accountability institutions, and unpredictable judicial systems. She called for a robust national re-orientation, consistent reinforcement of values, and behaviors that promote peace, harmony, and national development. Ballason also emphasized the need for timely and efficient justice delivery, calling for the correction of ethical mistakes, penalization of egregious violations, and effective redress of breaches of trust or crimes within the justice sector.

General Martin Luther Agwai, former Chief of Defence Staff, emphasized the need for a reassessment of the recruitment process in Nigeria’s security architecture. Agwai acknowledged the government’s efforts to address insecurity but expressed concern over the influence of highly placed government officials in the recruitment process. He stressed that the current security challenges must be addressed to ensure the country’s growth and development.

Agwai also emphasized the importance of national re-orientation, consistent reinforcement of values, and behaviors that promote peace, harmony, and national development. He called for a collective effort to address the security challenges facing the country, emphasizing that the government, citizens, and other stakeholders must work together to find a lasting solution.

Mr. Mike Omeri, former Director General of the National Orientation Agency, highlighted the escalating problems of justice, fairness, and equity in the country. Omeri noted that Nigerians have resorted to unconventional means, such as TV shows or prominent personalities, to seek justice due to the system’s failures. He emphasized the need for a functional justice system that delivers timely and efficient justice to all citizens.

Omeri also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality. He called for a comprehensive approach to addressing these challenges, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort between the government, citizens, and other stakeholders.