Former Abia State Governor and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed concern over what he described as the reluctance of many people in the Southeast to join Nigeria’s security agencies.
Kalu made the remarks during an interview with News Central TV while discussing the country’s security situation and other national issues.
The former governor said application forms for recruitment into the Nigerian Army, Police and Air Force are often made available to people in his area, but many prospective applicants are unwilling to take up the opportunity.
“I know in my area, they give me forms for people to join the army; nobody wants to join. They give me forms for people to join the police; nobody wants to join. They give me forms for people to join the Air Force; they will not want to apply,” Kalu said.
He linked some of Nigeria’s security challenges to divisions among citizens along ethnic, religious and regional lines, stressing the need for Nigerians to see themselves first as citizens of one country.
According to Kalu, addressing insecurity requires greater national unity and collective participation, including encouraging more citizens from different parts of the country to contribute to national security through service in the armed forces and other security institutions.
Kalu described Nigeria’s armed forces as among the country’s strongest institutions, arguing that tribal considerations do not define the conduct of most military personnel.
He also criticised what he described as the tendency of some Nigerians to celebrate violence in other parts of the country because the victims belong to a different ethnic or religious group.
The former governor said such attitudes deepen the country’s divisions and make it more difficult to find lasting solutions to insecurity.
He therefore called for a change in the way Nigerians perceive security challenges, urging citizens to regard attacks and violence anywhere in the country as a national concern rather than an issue affecting only a particular region, ethnic group or religious community.
Kalu maintained that greater unity, patriotism and participation in national institutions would be necessary to confront Nigeria’s security challenges effectively.
