A security expert and Akinjagunla Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Prince Amb. (Dr.) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla, has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take urgent and coordinated action to tackle rising insecurity, kidnapping and terrorism across the country.

Ewenla warned that the security situation could worsen if criminal elements operating across different parts of Nigeria are not decisively confronted.

He also defended the right of Nigerians to criticise insecurity and poor governance, stressing that demanding accountability from leaders should not be politicised.

“If some people speak out against insecurity and bad governance, others quickly come online to attack and silence them. However, speaking the truth about the security challenges facing our nation is not a crime.

“Every patriotic Nigerian has the right to demand safety and accountability from leadership,” he said.

The security expert expressed confidence in the capacity of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to combat criminal activities, provided they receive adequate support, improved coordination and clear operational directives.

According to him, the military and other security agencies possess the intelligence, manpower, technology and operational equipment required to identify and dismantle criminal hideouts in forests and other remote locations.

“The Nigerian Army and other security agencies have the capacity, intelligence, technology and operational equipment needed to track down criminal hideouts in forests and remote areas if given proper support, coordination and clear directives by the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ewenla stated.

Drawing on his background in Surveying and Geoinformatics, he said modern technology could significantly strengthen security operations by helping authorities map difficult terrain, monitor movements and locate criminal hideouts through advanced surveillance systems.

“As someone with security knowledge and a professional background in Surveying and Geoinformatics, I understand that modern technology can assist in identifying difficult terrains, mapping forests, monitoring movements and locating criminal hideouts through advanced surveillance and technical methods.

“Nigeria has competent professionals and security institutions capable of addressing these threats effectively,” he said.

Ewenla also advocated the deployment of modern, non-lethal tactical methods to enable security agencies to arrest criminals while minimising casualties among both operatives and civilians.

“There are modern non-lethal tactical methods and professional security operations that can help security agencies overpower and arrest dangerous criminals alive, reduce casualties and protect innocent citizens during operations.

“What Nigerians want to see is strong political will, coordinated intelligence and immediate action against criminal elements terrorising communities,” he added.

Describing the persistent cases of kidnapping and terrorism as disturbing, Ewenla said Nigerians expect stronger intelligence gathering, better inter-agency collaboration and measurable progress in the fight against insecurity.

“The continued cases of kidnapping and terrorism across the country are deeply disturbing. Nigerians are expecting stronger action, improved intelligence gathering, better coordination among security agencies and visible results in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

He added that many citizens are becoming increasingly frustrated by the slow pace of progress and are questioning whether sufficient efforts are being made to address the security crisis.

“If there is truly nothing being hidden and there is a genuine commitment to ending insecurity, stronger and more decisive actions should produce visible results within a short period.

“Many citizens are increasingly frustrated and are beginning to question whether the ongoing security crisis is being properly handled, especially as innocent Nigerians and security personnel continue to lose their lives daily,” he said.

Ewenla urged the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to prioritise the protection of lives and property, describing it as the foremost responsibility of government.

“The Federal Government and the APC-led administration must wake up and do the needful before it becomes too late. The protection of lives and property must remain the primary responsibility of every government,” he said.

He concluded by stressing that national security should remain above partisan politics.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us, and the safety of innocent citizens should never be politicised,” Ewenla added.