Insecurity: We are in trouble, but DSS can do a lot if properly equipped – Ughegbe
Nigerian Security Agencies Demonstrate Capability, Says Analyst
Activist and public affairs analyst Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe has commended the recent arrest of five suspected terrorists, including two foreign nationals, by the Department of State Services (DSS), asserting that the incident underscores the potential effectiveness of Nigeria’s security agencies when they are properly equipped and supported.
In an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, Ughegbe discussed Nigeria’s pressing security challenges and emphasized the critical role citizens play in addressing these issues. He urged Nigerians to acknowledge the gravity of the security situation, noting that even President Bola Tinubu has expressed concerns about rising insecurity.
“We are in trouble as a country; we must admit that,” Ughegbe stated, while asserting that the successful operation by the DSS should inspire confidence in national security institutions.
“This remarkable feat by the DSS demonstrates that the agency, when allowed to do its job and properly motivated, has the capability to generate credible and actionable intelligence,” he explained.
Ughegbe highlighted that the operation showcased the ability of security agencies to penetrate terrorist networks, intercept vital intelligence, and disrupt the movement of weapons among criminal groups. He remarked, “Capturing these five terrorists, including two foreign nationals, suggests a reason for hope, even as much work remains to be done.”
The analyst emphasized that effective intelligence gathering relies heavily on public cooperation, urging citizens to report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods. “DSS officials are not spirits; they will not obtain information unless citizens provide it. If unfamiliar individuals inhabit your community, there should be a way to quietly inform the authorities,” he said.
Ughegbe cited public complacency as a contributing factor to the nation’s security challenges, noting that many residents often overlook unfamiliar individuals living nearby. “Many of us live in areas where we do not know our neighbors. Yet, terrorists and criminals can reside in those same communities,” he added.
He also cautioned political leaders and opposition figures against politicizing security issues, emphasizing that national security must take precedence over partisan interests. “If we all care about the state of affairs in Nigeria, then we must prioritize the country. There cannot be elections without citizens being safe,” Ughegbe stated.
Drawing comparisons to other countries’ responses to major security incidents, he called for a unified effort in addressing insecurity. “We need to reach a point where we set aside politics and concentrate on securing our country. Our citizenship and safety must come first,” he concluded.
