RE: Insecurity Need to Crack Down on Saboteurs
By Osikale Ahleeyah Adetomiwa
I read with keen interest the editorial published in Vanguard Newspapers of Tuesday, March 24, 2026 (p.18), which addressed the worsening insecurity in Nigeria and the urgent need to confront saboteurs aiding criminal elements.
The editorial rightly observed that insecurity continues to escalate partly because certain individuals within affected communities allegedly provide support to terrorists and bandits, whether through intelligence, fuel supplies, food, or other logistics. Such internal collaboration, if left unchecked, undermines the sacrifices of security forces and prolongs the suffering of innocent citizens.
It is noteworthy that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) faced criticism in some quarters for allegedly “over-generalising” and stigmatizing indigenes of Borno and Yobe States as collaborators with Boko Haram. However, the Defence Headquarters, through its spokesman, Major General Samaila Uba, clarified that no ethnic group or state was officially accused. The statement was intended to draw attention to the reality that criminal networks often rely on local accomplices, a fact that should not be misconstrued as collective blame.
Those who take offence without engaging the substance of the issue risk diverting attention from the core problem. Acknowledging the existence of saboteurs is not an act of stigmatisation; it is a call to confront an uncomfortable but necessary truth.
The editorial also referenced a similar concern raised in September last year by the Kogi State Chief Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara, who alleged that some youths and women were supplying terrorists with food, fuel, and other necessities in parts of the state. According to him, “The bandits are operating with the indigenes of Okun land.” Such claims, whether in the North-East or North-Central, reinforce the broader concern that internal collaboration fuels insecurity across regions.
More importantly, the editorial pointed out that insufficient punishment for saboteurs has emboldened further acts of betrayal. Where accountability is weak, impunity thrives.
The recent bombing that reportedly claimed 23 lives and left 108 others injured underscores the human cost of inaction. Behind every statistic are families shattered and communities traumatised. The Federal Government must therefore demonstrate firm resolve in identifying, prosecuting, and punishing individuals who aid criminal groups. Deterrence remains a critical component of national security.
However, enforcement must be precise and evidence-based to avoid wrongful accusations that could alienate law-abiding citizens. Combating insecurity requires a balanced approach, firm action against collaborators, while strengthening community trust and cooperation with security agencies.
If saboteurs are decisively dealt with and communities are encouraged to stand firmly against criminal elements, Nigeria can begin to reverse the tide of insecurity. Citizens deserve safety, stability, and confidence in their government’s capacity to protect them.
Osikale Ahleeyah Adetomiwa is a
Student of Advertising and Public Relations, Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja. Interning at IMPR
[email protected]
Source: Emergency Digest
