'Oxygen sustaining terrorism'

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has demanded that the Federal Government identify, arrest, and prosecute individuals and organisations financing terrorism, arguing that insecurity will persist until the sponsors of violent groups face justice.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, YPP National Chairman Bishop Amakiri said successive administrations haven't shown the political will to end terrorism and insurgency.

He described the financiers as the "oxygen sustaining terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria," adding that despite repeated intelligence reports — including from foreign governments — no meaningful action has been taken.

"The oxygen sustaining terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria remains the network of individuals and organisations that fund these criminal enterprises," Amakiri said.

N25tn and no results

Amakiri noted that an estimated N25tn has been spent on defence and security over the past decade, yet the huge expenditure hasn't translated into better welfare for military personnel or a significant reduction in terrorist activities.

He called on the National Assembly to subject defence spending to strict oversight and accountability.

"Past defence expenditures should be comprehensively investigated to ensure that those responsible for misappropriation of funds are brought to justice," he said.

State police

The YPP chairman renewed the party's support for establishing state police, arguing that decentralised policing would strengthen local security responses.

He acknowledged that state police alone can't solve all security challenges, but said it would significantly improve the situation.

Amakiri urged lawmakers to include adequate safeguards in any enabling legislation to prevent abuse by state governments.

Abducted students and failed rehabilitation

Amakiri cited the continued captivity of abducted students and teachers in Oyo and Borno states — nearly a month after their abduction — as evidence of the government's lack of urgency.

He also criticised the continuous rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists under Operation Safe Corridor, saying it hasn't inspired public confidence while victims remain in Internally Displaced Persons camps.

Tinubu's vow

The YPP's appeal comes four days after President Bola Tinubu, in his Democracy Day address on Thursday, vowed that no mercy would be shown to terrorists and their sponsors.

Tinubu issued an ultimatum to bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terrorism to surrender or face the full force of the law.

He disclosed that over 13,000 terrorists had been neutralised in the past year, and that terror-related deaths had declined by 81 per cent since 2015.

However, he acknowledged that the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo and Borno states cast a shadow over the progress.

What YPP wants now

The party urged the Federal Government to identify, arrest, and swiftly prosecute terror financiers. It also demanded a comprehensive investigation into past defence expenditures.

Amakiri called for continuous training and retraining of military personnel in modern counter-terrorism operations, and said security chiefs who consistently fail to meet performance expectations should be replaced.

"We owe future generations a duty to build a nation where security is guaranteed, justice prevails, public resources are protected, and every citizen has the opportunity to live a life of dignity and prosperity," he said.