"You Cannot Defeat Insecurity While Benefiting From It" — CBN Onwuasoanya Ezendigbo

 

By Abioye Tosin Lawrence

Former presidential aspirant, Chief CBN Onwuasoanya Ezendigbo, has blamed Nigeria's persistent insecurity on powerful interests who, according to him, benefit from the nation's instability, insisting that banditry and violent crimes are sustained by influential sponsors rather than impoverished perpetrators.

Speaking on the state of the nation, Ezendigbo contrasted Nigeria's political realities with those of the United Kingdom, noting that the resignation of the UK's Prime Minister demonstrates a culture of accountability that remains largely absent in Nigeria.

"The problem in the United Kingdom is different from what Nigerians are facing," he said. "In Nigeria, insecurity is not a problem that leaders simply walk away from. It has become a national emergency requiring courage, sincerity and decisive action."

He argued that the young men involved in banditry and herdsmen attacks are largely uneducated, poor and lack the means to independently acquire sophisticated weapons, communication gadgets or motorcycles.

"Those carrying guns do not have access to buy these sophisticated weapons on their own. Many cannot even afford mobile phones. Somebody is providing them with phones, motorcycles and ammunition, often under the guise of politics. That tells you that the real problem goes beyond those pulling the trigger."

Recalling previous efforts to tackle insecurity, Ezendigbo said the country was once assured that many armed groups had embraced peace during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, but lamented that violent attacks have continued.

He urged Nigerians to speak out against injustice and insecurity regardless of where they occur.

"Whenever we see what is wrong, we must say it. We cannot pretend it does not concern us because insecurity in one region eventually affects the entire country."

Drawing a comparison, he praised former President Olusegun Obasanjo's approach to security, arguing that criminal elements were dealt with more decisively during his administration.

"The nation is like one human body. When one part is wounded, every other part feels the pain. We must stop treating insecurity as a regional issue."

Ezendigbo also referenced the frequent assertion by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there can be no peace without security, stressing that the same principle applies to Nigeria.

"A country without security is no country at all. Investors will not come. Tourists will stay away. Even Nigerians living abroad become afraid to return home with their families."

He further questioned how criminal groups continue to possess sophisticated weapons despite widespread poverty.

"Bandits today appear to be better armed than many security personnel. We must ask ourselves where these weapons are coming from and who is financing them."

According to him, the persistence of insecurity is not because criminals are invincible, but because influential individuals allegedly benefit from the prevailing situation.

"It is not because those perpetrating these crimes cannot be stopped. It is because some people are benefiting from the crisis. You cannot effectively fight what your own hands are tied to."

Expressing confidence in his leadership philosophy, Ezendigbo maintained that honesty at the top would naturally influence integrity throughout government.

"If I am honest, those working around me will also be honest. When I said insecurity could be brought under control within 72 hours, many people murmured because they have been conditioned to believe that nothing can change. That defeatist mindset must be broken."

He concluded by calling for transparent leadership, accountability and the political will to confront those allegedly sponsoring criminal activities, insisting that Nigeria's security challenge is solvable if leaders are prepared to tackle its root causes rather than its symptoms.