Renowned political commentator and former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Pastor Reno Omokri, has sparked controversy with his recent assertions regarding Nigeria's escalating insecurity. Omokri contends that the root cause of the nation's current security challenges lies in the failure of the past administration under President Muhammadu Buhari to re-arrest terrorists who were illegally freed from prison.
Omokri's remarks stem from a particularly infamous incident that occurred during the Buhari administration, where hundreds of terrorists on motorcycles raided Kuje prisons on July 5, 2022, reportedly freeing over 600 of the 900 inmates. Despite this brazen attack, the Buhari government allegedly neglected to pursue the re-arrest of these individuals, leading to what Omokri describes as a worsening security situation in Nigeria today.
In a scathing critique, Omokri singled out prominent figures from the Buhari era, including Islamic scholar Isa Pantami, questioning their moral authority to comment on Nigeria's current security challenges. Omokri accused Pantami and others of being complicit in the failure to address the aftermath of the Kuje prison break, highlighting subsequent security breaches such as the invasion of the Kaduna Airport and the bombing of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line.
Refuting claims of worsening insecurity under the current administration, Omokri pointed to a decline in incidents such as jailbreaks, airport invasions, and train bombings since the end of Buhari's tenure. He also highlighted improvements in oil production and reduced incidents of police station destruction in the Southeast.
In his statement, Omokri condemned attempts by Buhari loyalists to rewrite history and portray themselves as heroes, asserting that accountability for past failures is essential for national progress.
Omokri's remarks have ignited a contentious debate, with supporters and critics alike weighing in on the complexities of Nigeria's security landscape and the responsibilities of past and present administrations in addressing them.
