Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Terkaa Aondo, has warned that Nigeria’s deepening insecurity is a result of failed governance, legal weaknesses, and state complicity in violent conflicts. In an interview, Aondo said the country is “experiencing a multifaceted security crisis” worsened by terrorism, banditry, communal clashes, and political manipulation.
According to him, insecurity in parts of Nasarawa State — especially in Tiv communities in Doma, Obi, Awe, and Keana — involves targeted attacks by bandits and herders aimed at forceful land takeover. He accused some state authorities of either indifference or active complicity.
“These attacks are not random. They are strategic and violent attempts to displace people from ancestral lands,” Aondo said.
He linked the growing violence to mineral resource exploitation, particularly lithium, alleging that foreign and local actors are fueling conflict for economic gain.
Aondo also raised legal concerns, stating that security agencies are constrained by outdated laws and political interference. He warned against unconstitutional approaches to crime fighting and stressed the need for rights-based, people-oriented security strategies.
He cited poor enforcement of laws like the Anti-Torture Act and weak witness protection as major setbacks. “Without credible protection for witnesses and whistleblowers, convictions will remain elusive,” he said.
On judicial response, Aondo called for impartiality, faster trials, and stronger application of terrorism laws. He also urged judges to act as checks on executive overreach and ensure victims receive justice.
While confirming that a land dispute case involving Tiv communities is before the Nasarawa High Court, he alleged that development claims by the state government mask deeper political and economic interests.
He called for urgent reform of the Firearms Act, Cybercrime Act, and Land Use Act, among others. He also advocated a revision of the National Security Strategy and a legal framework for traditional leaders’ role in policing.
Aondo’s advice to lawmakers and security stakeholders: “You cannot fight lawlessness with lawlessness. Justice remains the most powerful weapon in our arsenal.”
