Security consultant Dr. Stephen Okwori has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu bears the greatest responsibility for addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing that the office of the Commander-in-Chief requires decisive leadership, accountability and proactive action to protect citizens.
Okwori made the remarks during an interview on Trust TV on Saturday, July 25, 2026, while discussing the country’s persistent security concerns and the urgent need for preventive measures to curb violent attacks.
According to him, President Tinubu sought the nation’s highest office with full knowledge of the enormous responsibilities attached to it. He argued that Nigerians are therefore justified in expecting the administration to prevent security breaches rather than responding only after lives have been lost or communities have been attacked.
“Don’t forget that Mr. President asked for this job. In the course of asking for this job, he said nobody should pity him. Right? He’s the commander-in-chief. What that means is that the bulk lies on his table. It is not for him to continue to give directives when the disaster is done or after the disaster is done. We must see that children are protected,” Okwori said.
The security expert emphasized that safeguarding citizens, especially schoolchildren and other vulnerable groups, should remain one of the federal government’s highest priorities.
He expressed concern over the recurring attacks on schools and communities across different parts of Nigeria, noting that children have increasingly become targets of kidnappers and other criminal groups.
According to Okwori, the country’s security architecture should focus primarily on preventing attacks before they occur rather than concentrating mainly on rescue operations after victims have already been abducted.
He argued that security agencies should strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance and early-warning systems capable of identifying threats before they escalate into violent incidents.
Okwori also questioned the effectiveness of celebrating the rescue or release of kidnapped victims when fresh abductions continue to occur in other parts of the country.
According to him, repeated cases of mass kidnappings demonstrate that existing security measures require significant improvement.
He maintained that while rescuing victims remains important, the true measure of success should be the ability of security agencies to prevent such attacks from taking place in the first instance.
The security consultant further called for enhanced protection of schools, rural communities and other locations considered vulnerable to criminal activities.
He said government institutions should adopt comprehensive security strategies designed to protect educational facilities and communities that have repeatedly experienced attacks.
Okwori stressed that ensuring the safety of children must be treated as a national priority because of the devastating consequences kidnappings and violent crimes have on families, schools and society.
He also argued that the constitutional responsibilities of the Commander-in-Chief extend beyond issuing directives after security incidents have occurred.
Instead, he said, effective leadership requires coordinating security agencies, strengthening preventive operations and implementing policies that protect lives and property before disasters happen.
According to Okwori, Nigerians expect their government to create an environment where children can attend school without fear and citizens can go about their daily activities in safety.
His comments come amid continued public concern over insecurity in several parts of the country, including incidents involving kidnappings, banditry and other forms of violent crime.
Security experts have repeatedly advocated stronger intelligence sharing, closer coordination among security agencies and greater investment in preventive policing as part of broader efforts to improve national security.
During the interview, Okwori reiterated that preventing attacks should remain the ultimate objective of Nigeria’s security strategy.
He maintained that adopting a more proactive approach would not only reduce the frequency of kidnappings and violent crimes but also strengthen public confidence in the country’s security institutions.
The security consultant concluded that effective governance requires anticipating threats before they materialize, arguing that citizens deserve a security system capable of preventing tragedies rather than merely responding after they occur.
His remarks add to the ongoing national conversation about security, governance and accountability, as stakeholders continue to debate the most effective strategies for tackling Nigeria’s persistent security challenges and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the country.
