The Young Progressives Party (YPP) on Monday urged the Federal Government to find, arrest, and prosecute people and groups funding terrorism. They believe that insecurity will continue unless those supporting violent groups face justice.
The party also expressed support for creating state police, saying that local policing would improve security responses and help deal with Nigeria’s growing security problems.
At a press conference in Abuja, YPP National Chairman Bishop Amakiri criticized past governments for not effectively dealing with insecurity. He said the current administration has not shown enough political will to end terrorism and insurgency.
Amakiri noted that the ongoing rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists under Operation Safe Corridor has not built public trust. Meanwhile, the victims remain in Internally Displaced Persons camps suffering.
He also pointed out that despite spending about N25 trillion on defense and security in the last ten years, this money has not led to better living conditions for military personnel or a real decrease in terrorist activities.
He said, “The oxygen sustaining terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria remains the network of individuals and organisations that fund these criminal enterprises.
“Despite repeated revelations and intelligence reports, including efforts by foreign governments to expose such individuals, the government has failed to demonstrate the political will necessary to identify, prosecute and punish those responsible.”
Amakiri mentioned the ongoing captivity of students and teachers taken in Oyo and Borno states nearly a month ago as proof of the government's lack of urgency in solving insecurity issues.
He called on the Federal Government to identify, arrest, and quickly prosecute those financing terrorism. He also asked the National Assembly to ensure better oversight and accountability of defense spending.
Amakiri demanded a thorough investigation of past defense spending to ensure that anyone who misused security funds is punished.
“We urge the Federal Government to eliminate the oxygen sustaining terrorism and insurgency. Terrorism financiers must be identified, arrested, prosecuted speedily and subjected to the full weight of the law.
“We also urge the National Assembly to subject Defence spending to strict oversight and accountability. Past defence expenditures should be comprehensively investigated to ensure that those responsible for misappropriation of funds are brought to justice.
“Continuous training and retraining of military personnel and other security agencies in modern counter-terrorism operations should become a national priority. Security chiefs who consistently fail to meet performance expectations should be replaced,” he urged.
On the issue of local policing, the YPP chairman said Nigeria needs to create state police formations. He admitted that while this might not solve all security problems, it would greatly improve local responses.
However, Amakiri called on lawmakers to include proper safeguards in any new laws to prevent misuse by state governments.
He said, “The time has come for the establishment of State Police. While State Police alone may not solve all security challenges, it will significantly enhance local security responses.
“However, appropriate safeguards must be included in any enabling legislation to prevent abuse by state governments.
“We owe future generations a duty to build a nation where security is guaranteed, justice prevails, public resources are protected, and every citizen has the opportunity to live a life of dignity and prosperity.”
The YPP’s request comes just days after President Bola Tinubu promised that there would be no mercy for terrorists and their backers.
In his Democracy Day speech on Thursday, Tinubu warned bandits, kidnappers, and terrorism sponsors to surrender or face the law.
The President revealed that over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralized in the past year. He also mentioned that terror-related deaths dropped by 81 percent since 2015, even though the ongoing captivity of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states overshadowed the celebrations this year.
Last week, the National Assembly also made moves to create state police as both chambers looked to change the 1999 Constitution to allow for decentralized policing.
The proposed law aims to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List, giving states the power to set up and manage their own police.
To make this happen, the bill suggests changes to Sections 197, 214, and 215 of the Constitution, among others. The Senate has already passed the bill for a second reading, marking another step in the legislature’s efforts to tackle Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges.
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