Security consultant Dr Stephen Okwori has raised alarm over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, citing rising casualty figures and the country’s deteriorating position on global terrorism rankings.
Okwori made the remarks during an interview from 34:00 on Trust TV, where he assessed the broader implications of insecurity across the country, particularly in the northeastern region that has faced years of insurgency.
Highlighting the human cost of the crisis, Okwori pointed to the scale of fatalities recorded over time. “In the northeast, close to 40,000 Nigerians have been killed. As we speak, the global terrorism index that was just released, Nigeria left 6th position to 4th,” he said.
According to him, the figures underscore the severity of the threat posed by insurgent groups and other violent actors operating in the region. He warned that the country’s movement up the global terrorism index signals a troubling trend that demands urgent attention from authorities.
Okwori stressed that beyond statistics, the impact of the violence has been devastating for communities, displacing thousands and disrupting livelihoods. He noted that the prolonged nature of the conflict has also strained security resources and exposed gaps in intelligence and response mechanisms.
The security expert called for a renewed and coordinated strategy to tackle terrorism, including improved intelligence gathering, better-equipped security forces, and stronger collaboration with local communities. He emphasized that addressing the root causes of extremism is equally important in achieving lasting peace.
He further urged the government to take decisive action to reverse the country’s trajectory on global security rankings, warning that failure to do so could have broader implications for national stability and international perception. Read_More…