ABUJA — A disability rights advocate and member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) policy and manifesto committee, Dr. Chike Okogwu, has warned that Nigeria’s worsening security challenges could further erode public confidence in state institutions unless political leaders undertake decisive reforms to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
Okogwu, National Leader of ADC Persons With Disabilities and a member of the party’s 50 Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee, made the call in an article titled “The Man, The Rottweilers and The Marauders: Nigeria Cannot Afford to Keep Holding the Leash.”
Drawing from an analogy shared with him by a serving military officer over a decade ago, he likened Nigeria’s security forces to trained guard dogs capable of protecting an estate but restrained by an owner unwilling to release them while criminals carry out attacks unchecked.
According to him, the story reflects the realities confronting security personnel who are often expected to tackle terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes under difficult operational conditions.
“The dogs represent the security forces, while the owner represents the political leadership. Sometimes the men on the ground are expected to win battles while operating under restrictions, inadequate support, conflicting directives, political interference, delayed procurement, poor intelligence coordination and the absence of a sustained national security strategy,” he stated.
Okogwu noted that despite the sacrifices of military personnel, police officers, intelligence operatives and other security agencies, insecurity remains a major concern across many parts of the country.
He argued that while governments at both federal and state levels continue to commit substantial resources to security, the persistence of violent crimes has raised questions about accountability, coordination and policy effectiveness.
“Every year, both the Federal Government and the 36 state governments allocate enormous resources to defence and security. Yet ordinary Nigerians continue to ask why increasing expenditure does not always produce increasing security,” he said.
The ADC chieftain identified intelligence failures, corruption, weak inter-agency collaboration, porous borders, delayed justice, unemployment and governance deficits as key factors undermining national security efforts.
He stressed that security should not be viewed solely through a military lens, insisting that sustainable peace requires a broader governance approach.
“Security cannot be achieved through weapons alone. It requires effective governance, economic opportunity, community trust, technology, intelligence, justice and, most importantly, leadership,” he said.
Okogwu also drew attention to the disproportionate impact of insecurity on vulnerable populations, particularly Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), who often face greater risks during attacks and humanitarian emergencies.
According to him, many persons with mobility, visual and hearing impairments are unable to access emergency information or flee from danger, while others lose access to healthcare, medication and assistive devices during crises.
He further highlighted the psychological and economic toll of insecurity on families, noting that many Nigerians now live under constant fear of kidnapping, violent attacks and displacement.
Beyond the immediate consequences of violence, he warned that prolonged insecurity risks creating a culture of fear, hopelessness and distrust in public institutions.
“The greatest danger is not simply the persistence of violence. The greatest danger is the acceptance of violence as normal, the belief that nothing can change and the loss of faith in institutions charged with protecting citizens,” he said.
He cautioned that nations do not decline solely because of external threats but when citizens lose confidence in the willingness or ability of institutions to confront those threats effectively.
Calling for urgent reforms, Okogwu urged political leaders to strengthen accountability mechanisms, improve intelligence coordination, support security agencies and place national security above partisan considerations.
He maintained that the central challenge facing Nigeria is no longer whether it possesses capable security personnel but whether those responsible for directing the nation’s security architecture are prepared to make the necessary decisions to safeguard lives and property.
“The question before Nigeria is no longer whether we have dogs capable of defending the estate. The question is whether those holding the leash are prepared to do what is necessary to secure the nation before the people inside the estate lose faith altogether,” he stated.
