Former Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Joshua Lidani, has shared his thoughts on how Nigeria can overcome the worsening security crisis in the nation.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, shortly after the National Flag-off of the Automated MATAN Food Security Initiative at the National Institute of Sports, National Stadium, Lidani advised President Bola Tinubu to prioritise intelligence coming directly from lower and mid-level security personnel

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain asserted that Nigeria’s security agencies already have the capacity to defeat insurgents and criminal groups, but stressed that the Federal Government must rely on accurate, ground-level intelligence.

“I will advise Mr President to listen to the military, especially the lower ranks, the middle ranks. Get information from them. Vital intelligence lies with lower and middle-rank officers,” he said.

He warned that relying solely on reports filtered through senior officers could distort the reality on the ground.

“If he receives the correct information, he will know where bandits, killer-herdsmen, and kidnappers operate, including their networks and camps,” he added.

Lidani insisted that Nigeria does not need foreign intervention to resolve its security challenges, arguing that the armed forces can deliver results if properly motivated.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces have the capability. They just need the right motivation. The President should not be overly lenient with top officials; he needs to demonstrate firmness,” he said.

He advised Tinubu to demand strong commitments from security appointees and remove those who fail to perform. He also urged the President to put national security above political considerations ahead of the 2027 elections.

“If he solves insecurity, the second term will be automatic. But if he avoids tough decisions because someone is a political heavyweight, he may end up achieving nothing,” he said.

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