Financial adviser and educator Kalu Aja has criticised the way Nigeria’s security challenges are being handled, saying President Bola Tinubu may be receiving the wrong guidance on the growing insecurity in the country.
In a post shared on X, Aja argued that describing insecurity as mainly politically driven could create a dangerous situation where authorities delay action while waiting for political events to unfold. According to him, such thinking could allow criminal activities to spread further across different parts of the country.
He questioned the belief that insecurity would naturally reduce after the 2027 general election if political actors were behind the crisis. He maintained that insecurity should be treated as a serious national problem that requires immediate attention from government and security agencies.
Aja also spoke against the payment of ransom to kidnappers and other criminal groups. He said such payments could encourage more abductions by making crime financially rewarding for those involved.
While acknowledging claims that some political figures may have links to insecurity, he insisted that the government should focus on confronting bandits, terrorists and other criminal groups rather than allowing the issue to become a political debate.
The financial expert further argued that improving security would have positive effects on the economy. According to him, safer communities would encourage business activities, increase investor confidence and improve public support for government policies.
As part of his recommendations, Aja called for a temporary halt to government spending on projects that are not directly connected to healthcare and essential human services. He said resources saved from such spending should be channelled towards tackling insecurity.
He also urged the Federal Government to deploy military personnel, paramilitary agencies and anti-corruption bodies to forests and other areas believed to be serving as hideouts for criminal groups.
According to him, a coordinated operation lasting several months could help weaken insurgent and bandit networks operating across the country.
Aja warned that failing to act decisively could allow insecurity to become more widespread. He maintained that early intervention remains the best way to prevent the situation from becoming more difficult to manage in the future.