By George Ozalla
John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, has raised concerns over what he described as a disconnect between official security briefings and the daily realities faced by Nigerians, following a recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, the cleric recounted how he and other religious leaders were granted audience with the President at Aso Rock, where they tabled concerns about persistent insecurity across the country, particularly on major highways and in rural communities.
According to Onaiyekan, the delegation highlighted the dangers confronting ordinary citizens, including frequent attacks on roads and the vulnerability of villagers in several parts of the country. He said the response from the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, came as a surprise.
The former archbishop disclosed that while the religious leaders spoke about insecurity, the National Security Adviser focused on the progress made in improving security nationwide and described the country as significantly safer. Onaiyekan said the reaction left members of the delegation visibly puzzled.
He recalled that the room fell into a moment of silent disbelief as the clerics looked at one another, questioning whether the official account being presented reflected the situation experienced by many Nigerians.
Onaiyekan maintained that no leader should be comfortable with the prevailing security situation if they are unable to travel freely without heavy security protection. He argued that the measure of national safety should not be official briefings but the lived experience of citizens who commute daily without armed escorts.
He further stated that recurring reports of killings, abductions and attacks on rural communities indicate that the country still has significant ground to cover in addressing insecurity. He noted that the vulnerability of villagers and road users remains a major concern that requires urgent and sincere attention.
The comments come amid ongoing public debate about the performance of security agencies and the effectiveness of measures introduced by the administration of President Tinubu to curb banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across parts of the country.
Onaiyekan, who served as Archbishop of Abuja for decades before his retirement, is one of Nigeria’s most respected religious voices and has consistently spoken on issues of governance, peace and national cohesion.
