…Says Insecurity Now Political Weapon
Daud Olatunji
The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Ogun State, Oba Ebenezer Akintunde Akinyemi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider hiring foreign mercenaries as a drastic measure to end the protracted wave of terrorism and banditry plaguing Nigeria, particularly in Plateau, Benue, and other northern states.
In a strongly-worded open letter addressed to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the first-class traditional ruler described the persistent bloodshed as a national tragedy that has become a booming “industry” for some, warning that continued inaction could spell grave consequences for Nigeria’s unity and stability.
In the letter, titled “An Open Letter to His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria on the Incessant Killings in Plateau State and Some Northern States in Nigeria,” the monarch expressed deep concern over the rising spate of violence, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.
“It is disheartening to see that human lives are no longer valued in some parts of our country despite the frantic efforts your administration has been making to secure all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria,” the monarch wrote.
Oba Akinyemi lamented that terrorism, banditry, and killings had not only claimed thousands of innocent lives but also displaced entire communities from their ancestral lands, particularly in Plateau and Benue States.
He condemned what he described as “marauding criminals” who, he said, have become emboldened over the years despite military investments and security reforms.
He warned that if President Tinubu fails to adopt an aggressive and unconventional approach, including the engagement of mercenaries, Nigeria may continue to suffer the economic and political fallout of insecurity.
“Insecurity has now created an industry for some practitioners who want the killings and maiming to go on till eternity,” he wrote, listing how it continues to drain the national budget, sustain arms dealers, and fuel IDP camp contracts.
“Sadly, insecurity has now become a weapon in the hands of politicians… It was used to oust President Jonathan in 2015. The Buhari government promised to end it, but failed woefully.”
The traditional ruler cautioned that the opposition might once again weaponize the country’s security challenges to discredit the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Must we allow this strategy to persist when innocent Nigerians are being killed?” he asked.
The monarch also raised concerns about ethnic imbalance in military recruitment and alleged complicity within the security architecture.
He accused some personnel of lacking motivation and suggested that ethnic affiliations were influencing the reluctance of some northern soldiers to confront insurgents who may be their kinsmen.
“Some of the dogs kept in homes are better fed than our soldiers,” he said. “We cannot end insecurity with this approach.”
Calling for a paradigm shift, Oba Akinyemi urged President Tinubu to initiate a debate in the National Assembly on the possible deployment of foreign mercenaries to neutralize terrorists.
He insisted that such action was necessary if Nigeria truly desired peace and stability.
“We cannot be complaining about the problems and also be complaining about the solutions,” he said.
“If our security agencies cannot stop this calamity for three administrations, there is no point putting fresh soup in the old pot.”
The monarch extended his condolences to the families of victims of recent attacks and reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu-led administration’s efforts, while urging the president to take a bold stand for the sake of Nigeria’s future.
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