Former Abia State Governor and current Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has advocated for the establishment of a new community-based security initiative to address Nigeria’s escalating insecurity.
Kalu, who aligned himself with remarks made by United States President, Donald Trump, drew lessons from the defunct Bakassi Boys, a vigilante group credited with reducing violent crimes in the South East during his governorship.
Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly in Abuja, the senator expressed concern over the worsening security situation nationwide, emphasizing that only a people-focused, homegrown security framework could effectively complement the efforts of the military and other security agencies.
He said, “When I was governor, I formed the Bakassi Boys, and they were not about boyfriend and girlfriend; they were about criminals.
“If we had that kind of structure now, we would smoke these criminals out. They helped us then, and such initiatives can help Nigeria again.”
Kalu cautioned that terrorists and bandits were intent on destabilizing the nation, urging citizens to work closely with the armed forces.
“Our people must support the military by giving information. No army fights and wins without the cooperation of its citizens,” he stated.
He also affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had prioritized security, noting that the military had intensified efforts to eliminate jihadists and other criminal elements from their hideouts.
Highlighting the importance of international support in the fight against terrorism, Kalu stressed that intelligence sharing and strategic backing from allies such as the United States were crucial to defeating insurgents.
Backing Trump’s comments on the killings of Christians in Nigeria, Kalu insisted that the U.S. president “only stated the truth” about the realities on the ground.
“What Donald Trump said, is it a lie? The answer is no. Nigerians are being killed, whether Christians or Muslims. When terrorists go to churches in Plateau, those killed are Christians.
“In Benue, it’s mostly Christians. In Zamfara, when they attack mosques, it’s Muslims. These people are jihadists; they just want to destroy Nigeria.”
He further suggested that Trump’s remarks were likely informed by U.S. intelligence, which could have influenced the recent intensified military operations across the country.
“You can see in the last few days that the Nigerian Air Force has been bombing their hideouts, that’s how it should be. We must not pity terrorists,” Kalu stressed.
