Barrister Solomon Dalung, the former Minister of Sports, has labeled opponents of the proposed state and community policing initiatives as obstacles to progress who should be disregarded.
Speaking from his residence in Sabo Barki, Jos, the Plateau State capital, Dalung shared his views in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP over the weekend.
He emphasized that those resisting the new security framework lack genuine concern for the welfare of grassroots communities.
Dalung highlighted that a significant portion of the federal police force is dedicated to protecting Very Important Persons (VIPs) traveling in extensive convoys, while rural populations remain vulnerable to attacks by bandits and other criminals.
“The group opposing state policing largely consists of these VIPs. Interestingly, bandits seem to coexist peacefully within their own territories, all armed, yet they do not harm one another,” he explained.
He further argued that if residents in rural areas were permitted to bear arms for self-defense, they would be less likely to fall victim to criminal acts.
“If I am armed with my AK-47 and the bandit has his, we would regard each other with mutual respect,” Dalung remarked.
Addressing claims made by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu that security has improved by 90 percent and that peace has been restored in certain regions, Dalung countered, “The NSA’s assertion is based on the increased budget allocation of N3.10 trillion. His perspective is rooted in resource availability.”
He added, “The NSA is not claiming that Nigerians are truly safe. Otherwise, how do we explain a journalist having to escape through a window in her Katampe apartment-located in a diplomatic area-when armed intruders invaded her estate?”
Dalung concluded by stating that no part of the country can currently be considered secure, pointing out that even Abuja, the nation’s capital, remains vulnerable.