Rivers Rep: Terrorism thriving because govt negotiating with criminals

A member of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, Solomon Bob, has said terrorism and other violent crimes continue to thrive because successive administrations lacked the courage to confront them decisively.

Speaking during a special plenary session at the National Assembly, Bob said the country’s persistent security crisis, including the abduction of schoolchildren, were a direct consequence of years of appeasement, weak leadership, and deliberate mischaracterisation of terrorism as mere banditry.

“What has happened in this country is an abject lack of courage. Every president since 1999 has demonstrated an embarrassing lack of courage to deal with an issue that has persisted. We are appeasing terrorists. We are placating them. They are engaging in negotiation,” he said.

Bob criticised security agencies and government officials for repeatedly negotiating with kidnappers, saying such actions embolden criminal groups and encourage repeated attacks.

He referenced the recent rescue of schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State, lamenting that “no one has been taken in for any kind of punishment.”

“It’s like a dark mirror. You pay money, they will come back for more. This is not how to run a country,” he said.

The lawmaker argued that Nigeria’s problem goes beyond weak institutions, stressing that the real crisis lies in the failure of individuals occupying key positions to act with courage and conviction.

“Institutions on books are not enough. The most fundamental elements that make institutions work are the human beings. But the human beings are lacking in will, in courage, in conviction,” he said.

Solomon condemned public statements by some influential Nigerians urging the government not to confront terrorists, describing such remarks as dangerous and irresponsible.

“In what country do people come out to say, ‘Don’t touch terrorists, they are our children’? Or even propose projects for them?” he asked in disbelief.

He called on the executive arm of government to end all forms of negotiation with terrorists, kidnappers and violent criminals, insisting that appeasement only deepens insecurity.

“Government must live up to its responsibility. Go after terrorists, go after kidnappers, go after any kind of violent criminals,” he said.

While noting that the South-South region has its own peculiar security problems, Solomon said the scale and brutality of violence in the North-West, North-East and North-Central require urgent, decisive action.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to demonstrate the political will needed to restore order and protect citizens, saying Nigeria cannot continue on a path where criminal groups act with impunity.

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