S.O.S ALIEME

The biggest threat to Nigeria today is no longer inflation. It is no longer unemployment. It is no longer even corruption. The biggest threat to Nigeria today is FEAR. Because a country where citizens are afraid to travel, afraid to farm, afraid to go to school, afraid to attend Church, afraid to attend mosque, and afraid to invest is a country slowly shutting down its own economy.

Let us stop pretending. Something is not working. And Nigerians know it. Every day we wake up to the same headlines: “Kidnapped”. “Abducted”. “Ransom demanded”. “Killed”. “Missing”.  At first it was highways, then villages, then schools, then Churches and then farms. Today it feels like nowhere is truly safe anymore. And what worries me the most is not even the kidnappers. It is the normalization of insecurity.

Many Nigerians have become so used to bad news that they simply scroll past it, but every kidnapping is not just a security problem, it is an economic problem, it is an education problem, it is an agricultural problem, it is an investment problem and it is a national development problem. When farmers abandon farms because of fear, food prices rise. When children stop going to school because of fear, the future becomes weaker and disastrous. When investors stay away because of fear, jobs disappear. When doctors leave because of fear, healthcare suffers. When businesses relocate because of fear, economic growth slows down. Security is not one sector of the economy. Security is the economy. Nothing works without it.

Now let me say something that may sound uncomfortable. Many governors across the 36 States including the federal capital territory of Nigeria are also part of this problem, because every time insecurity is mentioned in any state, the common response is: "Governors don't control the police and military." Fine. That may be true. But let me ask a simple question. What is stopping governors from supporting the same security agencies operating within their states? What is stopping state governments from ensuring police stations have operational vehicles? What is stopping state governments from ensuring security formations have fuel? What is stopping state governments from providing technology, surveillance systems, drones and communication equipment? What is stopping state governments from building intelligence networks within local communities?  Let's face the truth: A poorly paid police officer cannot chase criminals with an empty stomach. A security officer cannot fight crime with empty promises. A security agency cannot function effectively without logistics.

Go around Nigeria, you will find security formations struggling with basic operational resources. You will find personnel working under difficult conditions. You will find stations lacking equipment. You will find officers risking their lives daily with limited support. Then, we wonder why insecurity persists. Let me be honest. If Nigeria truly wants to win this battle, the first thing we must do is stop treating security spending as expenditure. It is an investment. And perhaps the most important investment a country can make.

The United States that every country admires today did not become a global power by accident. One thing America understands very well is that...National security protects everything else. Their investments in security, intelligence gathering, technology, logistics and defense infrastructure are enormous. Why? Because they understand that investors only go where they feel protected. Businesses only grow where they feel protected. Citizens only prosper where they feel protected. Now imagine....Every police station and military barracks in Nigeria had: Reliable operational vehicles; guaranteed fuel supply; functional communication systems; surveillance support; modern intelligence tools; better working conditions among others. Imagine every state government partnered directly with security agencies to strengthen operations. Imagine local communities had structured intelligence-sharing networks. Imagine response times were reduced significantly. Imagine security personnel were properly motivated. Imagine the profession became attractive again to talented young Nigerians, for to be honest, many young Nigerians no longer see security services as attractive careers. And one of the reasons is obvious. People are naturally drawn toward professions where they feel valued, respected and supported. No country can neglect the welfare of those protecting it and expect outstanding results.

Now, before anybody misunderstands me, I am not saying throwing money at security will solve everything. No. Crime is also connected to poverty. Crime is connected to unemployment. Crime is connected to drugs. Crime is connected to weak institutions. Crime is connected to failed leadership at different levels. But security remains the foundation. Without security, nothing else stands. Not agriculture. Not education. Not healthcare. Not infrastructure. Not investment. Not economic growth. Nothing. And that is why I strongly believe that any President, Governor, Senator, House of Representatives’ Member or Local Government Chairman who genuinely reduces insecurity in his area has already created one of the greatest everlasting legacies possible. When people feel safe...They farm. They invest. They travel. They build businesses. They send children to school. They create jobs. They create prosperity.

The government especially the federal government is in charge of all Armed Forces and Police in Nigeria, it is their responsibility to see that things are done in the proper way.  The huge money voted for security is being mismanaged.  History will not remember how many speeches were delivered; History will remember whether Nigerians felt safer under the watch of the Presidency, because one secured community can create more prosperity than ten political campaigns. And one safe Nigeria can unlock more global economic opportunities than any economic policy ever written.

The question is no longer whether insecurity is affecting Nigeria. The question is: How much longer can Nigeria afford it?

God Bless Nigeria!!!