A security expert, Seyi Babaeko, has cautioned that Nigeria may be approaching a critical point as violent attacks, kidnappings, and community invasions continue to rise across the country.

Mr Babaeko gave the warning on Tuesday in Lagos. According to him, the nation is drifting toward something dark and urgently needs decisive intervention from President Bola Tinubu to prevent a deeper breakdown of security. He said that the pattern of violence across states showed increasing coordination among criminal groups, leaving communities fearful and feeling abandoned.

“The violence scattered across Nigeria is no longer random, with communities invaded, convoys ambushed and burnt, families kidnapped, and entire villages emptied overnight. The most troubling part is how quickly all of this is becoming normal,” he said.

According to him, criminal networks are growing stronger, richer, and more sophisticated.

The security professional urged Mr Tinubu to adopt a unified national security strategy that brings all agencies and levels of government under a single, coordinated framework. He also advocated for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s intelligence operations, saying Nigeria cannot rely on outdated methods while armed groups continue to evolve.

The expert called for the deployment of advanced technology in security operations, including surveillance drones, satellite monitoring, and improved night-operation systems in high-risk areas.

He said Nigeria’s porous borders must also be addressed urgently to curb the influx of illegal arms fueling violence.

Mr Babaeko said that, beyond military responses, Nigeria needs a national peace and reconciliation effort involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society, and community actors.

He said that unresolved grievances and rising hate speech must be addressed early to prevent identity-based conflicts. The police, he added, must undergo substantial reform in training, equipment, community engagement, and forensic capacity.

He emphasised that insecurity cannot be tackled without confronting its root causes, such as poverty, unemployment, injustice, and the neglect of rural communities.

Mr Babaeko also backed calls for state policing, stating that Nigeria’s size makes centralised policing ineffective and slow in responding to local realities.

He urged the federal government to act quickly, saying there’s still an opportunity to shape a safer future for the country.

(NAN)