A disability advocate and policy strategist, Chike Okogwu, has warned that Nigeria’s escalating insecurity cannot be resolved through military action alone, insisting that deeper governance failures, weak institutions, and eroding public trust remain at the heart of the crisis.
Okogwu made the observation in a policy essay titled “The Man, The Rottweilers and The Marauders: Nigeria Cannot Afford to Keep Holding the Leash,” where he examined the country’s security architecture and the limitations of relying primarily on force to combat violent crime.
He argued that although security agencies continue to record tactical gains against insurgents, bandits and kidnappers, the persistence of insecurity across the country points to structural problems that extend far beyond battlefield operations.
According to him, sustainable peace will only be achieved when security is treated as a governance issue, not just a military assignment.
“Security cannot be achieved through weapons alone. It requires effective governance, economic opportunity, community trust, intelligence and justice. Most importantly, it requires leadership,” he said.
‘Rottweiler’ Illustration: A System Working Under Constraints
Central to his argument is a vivid analogy comparing Nigeria’s security system to a guarded estate where trained Rottweilers are restrained by their owner while intruders inflict damage.
In the analogy, the dogs represent security forces, while political leadership is symbolised by the estate owner.
Okogwu said the illustration reflects the realities faced by frontline personnel who are often expected to perform under difficult conditions, including poor logistics, delayed intelligence, operational restrictions, and political interference.
“The dogs are capable and ready, but they are held back. Yet when damage is done, they are blamed for failing to protect the estate,” he noted.
He also observed that despite increased security spending by governments at all levels, insecurity persists due to corruption, weak intelligence systems, porous borders and poor coordination among security agencies.
Security Beyond the Military Lens
Okogwu cautioned against the growing tendency to treat insecurity purely as a military problem, stressing that such a perspective ignores the broader institutional and social failures that enable violence to thrive.
“Security is often treated as a military issue when it is, in fact, a whole-of-government responsibility,” he said, adding that justice delivery, accountability and institutional efficiency are central to any lasting solution.
Vulnerable Groups at Greater Risk
The policy strategist further highlighted the disproportionate impact of insecurity on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), noting that they are frequently left out of emergency response planning.
He said limitations in mobility, inaccessible communication systems and weak inclusion frameworks make PWDs particularly vulnerable during crises.
“Every security failure deepens inequality and widens the gap between vulnerable citizens and protection systems,” he warned.
The Danger of Normalising Insecurity
Beyond operational challenges, Okogwu raised concern over what he described as the psychological risk of Nigerians becoming desensitised to violence.
He warned that when insecurity becomes routine, it reduces public pressure on leaders to act decisively and weakens demand for reform.
“The greatest danger is not just violence itself, but the acceptance of violence as normal,” he said.
Call for Systemic Reform
Okogwu concluded that Nigeria’s core challenge is no longer the capacity of its security forces, but the political will to reform the system that constrains them.
He called for stronger institutions, improved intelligence sharing, reduced political interference, and a more effective justice system capable of deterring crime.
“The question is not whether the dogs can defend the estate. It is whether those holding the leash are ready to do what is necessary before the estate is lost,” he said.
His intervention adds to a growing national conversation advocating a shift from a predominantly militarised response to insecurity toward a broader, governance-driven strategy anchored on accountability, institutional reform and social investment.