APC chieftain urges FG to target insecurity financiers

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the heads of the country’s security agencies to urgently go after individuals and groups financing insecurity across Nigeria.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo the state capital, Oyintiloye, a former member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, decried the continued attacks and killings in states like Benue and Plateau, describing the incidents as “pathetic and unacceptable.”

“As long as the bandits are still having access to food and ammunitions, it will be difficult to crush them. Once sources of supply of the basic human needs and weapons are cut off by arresting those supplying the criminals, security agencies would be able to curtail activities of the insurgents,” he said.

He maintained that it was not enough to tackle the foot soldiers perpetrating the violence, stressing the importance of identifying and dismantling the financial and logistical networks behind the growing insecurity.

“To effectively combat insecurity in the country, it is important to target the individuals and entities that are bankrolling criminal activities and insurgencies. This requires a multifaceted approach, including strengthening intelligence gathering and analysis, implementing robust anti-corruption measures, and fostering international cooperation to disrupt financial flows,” Oyintiloye said.

While acknowledging the efforts of security agencies, Oyintiloye insisted more must be done to expose and prosecute those enabling violent crimes across the country.

“There is no doubt that the security agencies are doing their best and the result of their efforts is glaring for all to see, but more needs to be done in exposing the sponsors of this evil act,” he stated.

He further argued that some individuals were attempting to use the nation’s security situation to score political points, warning that such actions amount to sabotage.

“Incessant killings of innocent Nigerians should not be allowed to go on, unchallenged,” he said, adding that “those using the insecurity to score political points against the President should be treated as enemies of the country.”

The APC chieftain also urged President Tinubu to allow the public prosecution of those found guilty of sponsoring insurgents, arguing that it would serve as a deterrent and restore confidence in the justice system.

“Arresting financiers of insurgency without addressing the issues of criminal justice by prosecuting them publicly might not yield the needed results,” he warned.

He also pointed to weak institutions as a major contributor to the country’s security challenges, blaming systemic failures on rising unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, and ineffective policing.

“Our institutional framework has become very weak over time and has affected governance negatively, our democratic values, and accountability,” he noted.

Despite the challenges, Oyintiloye expressed optimism that Nigeria would eventually overcome its security woes with stronger political will and strategic reforms.

Source: Punch