By George Ozalla

A Nigerian healthcare professional resident in the United States, Mrs Nkechi Eze, née Nzelu, has identified insecurity, particularly kidnapping, violent attacks and unsafe road travel, as the major reason she has stayed away from Nigeria for years despite her desire to reconnect with family and friends at home.

Eze, who spoke on a range of issues concerning Nigeria’s security situation, healthcare delivery, electoral credibility and the responsibilities of government, said her decision not to visit Nigeria should not be interpreted as a loss of affection for her country but as a necessary step to protect herself and her children.

She explained that the question confronting her whenever she considers travelling to Nigeria is whether she and her family can move around safely, access emergency assistance if necessary and return to their place of residence without becoming victims of criminal attacks.

While acknowledging that financial considerations, scheduling and other preparations also influence international travel, she stressed that security concerns remain her greatest obstacle.

According to her, Nigerians in the diaspora should not have to choose between maintaining family relationships and safeguarding their lives.

Eze expressed particular concern about the growing vulnerability of healthcare professionals, noting that people who dedicate their lives to saving others should not have to fear kidnapping, violent attacks or death while carrying out their duties.

She observed that attacks on health workers go beyond the immediate victims, as they also undermine healthcare delivery, discourage professionals from serving in vulnerable communities and expose patients to greater risks.

She argued that protecting healthcare workers is an essential part of protecting the wider population, adding that insecurity affects every stage of medical service delivery.

According to her, patients may be reluctant to travel to hospitals at night, health workers may struggle to reach their duty posts, ambulances may avoid dangerous routes, while clinics and other medical facilities may reduce their services because of security threats.

She warned that such disruptions could have serious consequences for pregnant women experiencing emergencies, accident victims and patients requiring urgent referrals to better-equipped hospitals.

Eze also drew attention to the financial difficulties confronting patients during emergencies, explaining that delays in obtaining transportation, locating available facilities and raising money for treatment could worsen medical conditions.

She maintained that emergency medical intervention should not be delayed simply because patients or their relatives are unable to make immediate payments.

Drawing from her experience in the United States, she explained that emergency departments are required to screen and stabilise patients regardless of their immediate ability to pay, although subsequent medical bills may still arise.

She clarified that the American healthcare system is not without shortcomings, but said its procedures provide a more dependable framework for responding to emergencies.

On the security situation in Nigeria, Eze expressed concern over kidnapping, banditry, violent attacks and farmer-herder conflicts, describing them as indications of the failure to adequately protect ordinary citizens.

She, however, cautioned against treating every security challenge as though it has the same origin or requires an identical response.

She argued that investigations should identify the individuals responsible for criminal activities rather than unfairly blaming entire ethnic communities or occupational groups.

According to her, government must distinguish between different security threats, investigate crimes professionally and ensure that those found culpable are brought to justice without subjecting innocent people to collective punishment.

She identified safer roads, a reduction in kidnappings, dependable emergency response systems and credible investigations as essential conditions for restoring public confidence.

Eze said assurances that particular parts of the country are safe would mean little without consistent improvements that residents and visitors could independently confirm.

She stressed that people should be able to establish the security situation in the specific communities and locations they intend to visit rather than rely on general assurances.

Comparing life in the United States with Nigeria, she acknowledged that America is not free from crime but said the difference, from her perspective, lies largely in the level of predictability and confidence people have in everyday activities and formal response systems.

She explained that residents should be able to plan their movements, go to work, visit relatives and access medical services without living under the constant fear of kidnapping or unsafe journeys.

She urged Nigerian authorities to take reports of missing persons, attacks and threats seriously, insisting that responses should be prompt and professional, irrespective of the financial standing or social connections of the victims.

She also called for clearer procedures that enable citizens to understand what assistance is available, which agencies are responsible and how to obtain help when emergencies arise.

On possible solutions to insecurity, Eze advocated improved intelligence gathering, stronger cooperation among security agencies, properly trained and equipped local policing structures, effective investigations and more efficient judicial processes.

She also emphasised the importance of education, employment opportunities and fair dispute-resolution mechanisms in preventing violence, while stressing that respect for human rights would help strengthen public trust in security institutions.

She suggested that the success of government security policies should be measured by practical improvements in the lives of citizens.

Among the questions she believes authorities should be able to answer are whether farmers can safely return to their farmlands, nurses can work night shifts without fear and victims of kidnapping can expect prompt and effective intervention from security agencies.

On electoral administration, Eze, who has participated in elections in the United States, described the process as orderly and private, with clearly defined procedures for voter identification, accreditation and casting of ballots.

She noted that voting methods differ across American states, with some using paper ballots and others employing electronic systems, but said verification, audits and other safeguards help establish confidence in the process.

She maintained that voters should be able to exercise their franchise privately without intimidation, coercion or interference from other people.

Assessing Nigeria’s electoral process against that standard, she expressed concern about the gap between public expectations and the level of confidence citizens have in the conduct and explanation of election results.

Although acknowledging the efforts of committed electoral officials and citizens, she said allegations of electoral violence and manipulation should be treated seriously and subjected to proper investigation.

She was, however, careful to distinguish between public allegations and established facts, noting that she could not personally establish that every disputed election had been rigged.

She insisted that credible institutions should make evidence accessible, investigate complaints and provide clear explanations capable of reassuring the electorate.

According to her, public confidence cannot be built by simply asking citizens to accept results when legitimate questions about the process have not been adequately addressed.

Eze also believes that credible elections could contribute to improved security and governance by giving citizens the opportunity to reward performing leaders or remove those who fail to meet their responsibilities.

She nevertheless cautioned that elections alone cannot resolve kidnapping, insecurity, poor healthcare delivery or the growing departure of skilled professionals from Nigeria.

She called for effective governance, responsible management of public resources, enforcement of laws and improved remuneration and working conditions for professionals.

On the agitation for diaspora voting rights, Eze expressed support for allowing Nigerians living abroad to participate in national elections, provided that appropriate safeguards are established.

She identified credible voter registration, reliable identity verification, prevention of multiple voting and transparent counting as necessary conditions for a trustworthy diaspora voting arrangement.

She also observed that strengthening the protection and credibility of votes cast within Nigeria should remain an important priority.