The Senator representing Abia North and former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, has accused both local political players and foreign actors of fueling the latest wave of insecurity across the country in a bid to weaken the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Kalu, who spoke during a televised appearance on Channels Television on Sunday, linked the spike in abductions, attacks and school disruptions to what he described as pre-election pressure tactics. He argued that the emerging pattern resembled previous cycles of violence witnessed in the buildup to national elections.
“What we are seeing is something that goes with elections. When we have elections, people will try to pressure the government in power, and all kinds of things will start happening,” he said.
The senator recalled that similar tensions trailed the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, adding, “They did it to Jonathan. This is about 2027.”
He alleged that some politicians were contracting mercenaries to stir unrest. According to him, “These people (bandits) are partially mercenaries bought by politicians… people-centred to destabilise a president who is ready to fight for our economy. The intelligence community knows. I am aware people are sponsoring these things to destabilise the government.”
Kalu further claimed the problem extended beyond local actors. He insisted that some foreign interests were also playing a role in orchestrating the threats facing the country. “The terrorists and the bandits are orchestrated by some members of international communities and local people who want to destabilise the government,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that the federal government was responding firmly to the crisis, noting that the president had cancelled engagements to focus on national security. “Tinubu is having sleepless nights… Those girls will be recovered. The government is making every effort… Our service chiefs and security operatives have gone fully on duty to track them down. It is a challenge, but the essence of a government is to protect life and property, and we will be equal to the task,” he added.
His comments came on a day President Tinubu held an extended security briefing with Service Chiefs at the State House in Abuja. Those in attendance included the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi.
Kalu also attributed recurring weaknesses in national security to structural and manpower shortages. He argued that the country’s size and population placed a heavy burden on overstretched security agencies. “This is a very huge country where people do not encourage the government. The government makes laws, and the people break the laws. First, we are under-policed; people refuse to join the police force and the military, and you can’t force them,” he said.
Responding to remarks credited to United States President Donald Trump over alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria, he said some foreign reactions amounted to interference. Citing historical references, he added, “If they allow Nigeria to have 20 years of peace, this country will overrun every other country.”
Kalu noted that any international military support must be coordinated with Nigeria’s leadership. “It will be a very good thing when he consults with the Federal Government. We have made efforts to reach out, that the military attack on the terrorists and bandits will be a combined effort of the Federal Government and the United States of America. I do not see anything wrong,” he said.
