A Nigerian public affairs commentator, Olóyè Gbenga Olaleye, has raised concerns over what he described as the Federal Government’s inconsistent approach to tackling terrorism and insecurity across different regions of the country. His remarks followed the recent judgment sentencing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment on terrorism-related charges.
In a public statement issued on Friday, via his official X account (formerly twitter), Gbenga said the verdict prompted him to reflect on Nigeria’s broader security operations and the need for a more uniform response to violent groups nationwide. While acknowledging the authority of the courts, he argued that the judgment highlights long-standing questions about fairness in the country’s counter-terrorism policy.
Gbenga noted that government action in the South often appears swift and forceful in dealing with security threats. In contrast, violent extremist groups in the North, including Boko Haram, ISWAP and heavily armed bandits, seem to face slower and less aggressive responses despite years of destruction.
“We have seen gun-bearing terrorists in the North film themselves, show their faces, and display advanced weapons, yet the government’s response to them is far less forceful than what we see elsewhere,” he said.
According to him, this perceived imbalance has contributed to public concern. It has created an impression, fair or otherwise, that the fight against terrorism may not be applied evenly across all regions.
Gbenga emphasised that he does not support violence from any group but insisted that a united Nigeria requires fairness at every level of its justice and security systems.
“Every region deserves the same seriousness, the same urgency, and the same commitment to justice,” he said.
He added that selective firmness or selective silence only weakens public trust, deepens regional tensions and undermines the collective fight against insecurity.
Gbenga urged the Federal Government to adopt a more transparent and consistent approach in addressing all forms of terrorism. He argued that equal application of security measures would strengthen national unity and reassure citizens who have long felt marginalised by uneven security interventions.
“I hope that going forward, the government will approach all forms of terrorism with the same clarity, transparency and firmness,” he said, noting that such measures would help calm tensions and give every Nigerian a stronger sense of belonging.
The statement comes amid renewed national debate following the court ruling on Kanu and concerns over widespread insecurity affecting communities across the country.
