The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, has declared that Nigeria is no longer in what he termed the “jeopardy zone” of insecurity, pointing to what he described as significant improvements in national security.
Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Dare stated that while the country continues to face security challenges, there has been measurable progress compared to past years.
“We have seen an improvement in the issue of security; I think we have left the jeopardy zone,” he said, referencing past crises such as the Boko Haram insurgency and the height of conflict in the Sambisa region.
Dare urged Nigerians to adopt a broader perspective when assessing the security situation, stating, “We must situate this conversation in context. If you look back five or six years—even to the Jonathan era—you will see the difference. Our institutions are stronger today, and the government is responding faster to emerging threats.”
Despite this optimism, he acknowledged ongoing concerns raised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which has recorded increasing incidents of violence and human rights abuses, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as children, elderly citizens, and vigilante groups.
“Security is a work in progress; there is no silver bullet,” Dare noted. “Yes, abuses occur, but what matters is how our judicial system and security agencies respond. That’s where our focus should be.”
He also addressed the underlying causes of crime in Nigeria, noting that despite laws and penalties, crime persists. “People still commit crimes even with deterrents in place. We must ask hard questions, not only of our security agencies but also about poverty, unemployment, and the communal tensions that fuel unrest.”
However, security analysts on the programme challenged the government’s assessment, citing NHRC data which indicates a consistent monthly rise—nearly 10%—in reported abuses. They argued that the government’s narrative of progress may not reflect the everyday reality for many Nigerians.
