Some Nigerians among whom are security experts, academic and legal practitioners have x-rayed Nigeria security challenges and also profer solutions.
The experts identified injustice, oppression and abuse of power as some of the factors responsible for insecurity in Nigeria.
They therefore recommended justice, fair hearing, accountable leadership and equatable distribution of resources as the solutions to the security challenges the country is facing.
They made these declarations while speaking at the annual Ramadan lecture organised by Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN) Oyo State chapter.
The event which was held on Sunday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, had the Acting Deputy Director of Islamic Affairs, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Leitenant Colonel Adeleke Lawal as Guest Speaker and Professor Taofeek Yekeen from department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ibadan and Mr Rasheed Adelakun, Director of Department of State Service in Oyo State as discussants.
Lawal while speaking, disclosed that injustice, oppression, discrimination and abuse of power by public office holders are the major factors responsible for insecurity in Nigeria.
Lawal who delivered a paper titled “Security and economy: Islamic model for accountable leadership” explained that security is tied to justice and that injustice destroys security.
He said that peace and stability cannot exist where oppression, discrimination and abuse of power prevail.
He noted that many Nigerians are languishing in abject poverty despite the abundant resources due to widespread injustice, discrimination and abuse of power in the country.
He warned that when economic power is monopolized by a small group of people, it undermines national security.
Lawal while speaking further, then advised governments at all levels and office holders to ensure equitable distribution of resources in the country, noting that this will help to reduce social menaces in the country to the barest minimum.
Lawal said, “Security and economy are not peripheral issues. They are foundation pillars of civilization. When security collapses, economic life suffocates. When economic injustice spreads, insecurity multiplies. When leadership lacks accountability, both security and economic stability deteriorate simultaneously.
“Where leadership is ethical and responsible, stability and prosperity follow. Islam does not treat security and economy as isolated administrative sectors. Rather, it integrates them within a comprehensive model of accountable leadership rooted in justice, trust and moral responsibility before Allah and society.
“Security is tied to justice, meaning that peace and stability cannot exist where oppression, discrimination or abuse of power prevail. When citizens trust that laws are fair and rights are protected, social order becomes sustainable.
“Injustice destroys security, because when people are denied fairness, marginalized economically or treated unequally before the law, resentment grows. That resentment eventually manifests as crime, rebellion or social unrest.
“Moral corruption leads to instability, when bribery, exploitation, dishonesty, and abuse of office becomes normalized, when institutions weaken. Once institutions weaken, insecurity multiplies and economic confidence collapses”.
Yekeen and Adelakun in their contributions, called on the governments at all levels to find ways to address imbalances in the country.
The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli while speaking noted that the newly signed electoral act will go a long way to improve our electoral processes.
He added that the act will go a long way to minimum the challenges facing democracy in the country.
He charged the electorate to ask questions from their representatives.
“As your elected representatives, you can ask questions. Gone are the days when they say that don’t go out to vote. I want to tell you that ask questions. The electoral act has taken away the power from politicians. I mean those who wants to rig elections. There is no way now”.
“The act has removed power from the politicians. I mean those people who usually rig elections. It has removed the power from them. The electoral act will depend our democracy”.
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari in his contribution, noted that MULAN has been at the fore front in defending human rights in the country. He tasked them to continue.
He described the lecture as timely.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal who was represented by Barrister Kunle Sanni, Hon Dikhrullahi Adedeji Olajide, former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu and Chief Imam of Oyo, Sheikh Bilal Akewugberu, Chairman of the association, Barrister Ismaila Saka.
Others are Justice Tajudeen Abdulganiy, Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan branch, Barrister Ibrahim Lawal and Barrister Yemi Akangbe (SAN).