International Affairs Analyst, Dr Adoyi Omale, has said that the persistent killings across Nigeria must not be downplayed, urging the federal government to ensure justice for victims and take stronger action against those responsible for ongoing violence and insecurity.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, Dr Omale said that while Nigeria is a sovereign country, sovereignty does not absolve government of its responsibility to protect lives and maintain justice.
“Nigeria is a sovereign country, and any attempt to invade or send military force to attack Nigeria would be an act of aggression,” he said. “But that is not to say the international community is wrong to point out problems where they exist, especially when there are serious allegations of genocide or terrorism.”
He explained that terrorism and insecurity have become global concerns and must be confronted with urgency and sincerity.
“Terrorism is a global phenomenon, and a terrorist anywhere in the world is a threat to global peace,” Dr Omale stated. “The Americans have made it clear they will not allow terrorists to continue occupying space in Nigeria. To be very frank, there are lots of killings going on, and nobody is holding this government responsible for it. It has been happening for quite some time.”
Dr Omale lamented that Nigeria’s security response has failed to produce meaningful results, leaving citizens exposed to attacks.
“Our capacity to deal with terrorism and insecurity has not yielded enough results,” he said. “Everybody is worried. We want a country that is safe for everyone — where people can travel without fear, and communities can live in peace. The killings are alarming, and something has to be done.”
When asked about perceptions of religiously motivated killings, he said the issue was not just about faith but about justice and the failure to protect lives across the board.
“I am from Benue State, for example, and Agatu is crying. People have been murdered in cold blood all in the name of someone taking cattle into their farms. When you complain, people bring out daggers and kill you,” he said. “We had cases like Gideon Akaluka in Kano, who was beheaded and paraded on the streets, and Deborah Samuel, an innocent student in Sokoto, who was murdered. These are painful realities.”
He stressed that justice must not be selective and called for a decisive crackdown on those responsible for the violence.
“Despite the fact that Nigeria is a sovereign country, it depends on our government to ensure that all lives are protected. That is the justice we are talking about,” Dr Omale said. “In Plateau and Benue, people have protested because they feel helpless. The Bishop of Makurdi Diocese even went to the United Nations to explain what the people are going through. The whole of the west of Benue State has been occupied by terrorists hiding in the bushes. It’s a very serious issue.”
Dr Omale said true justice must begin with identifying and prosecuting those behind the atrocities.
“The first step is to arrest those perpetrating this genocide. They are in camps, and the security agencies know where they are. Some are in Nasarawa State, others in Benue. Why can’t they be rounded up and tried?” he asked. “Why must they be allowed to exist and continue unleashing mayhem on innocent people? Buses are hijacked on the highways, travellers kidnapped — it’s a very serious issue.”
He concluded that Nigeria must act decisively and transparently to stop the killings, restore justice, and rebuild confidence in governance.
“We must not throw away the baby with the bathwater,” he warned. “Justice, fairness, and the protection of all lives must be the foundation of our response.”
Boluwatife Enome
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