Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has given reasons why insecurity persists in Nigeria and what must be done to end the plague in the country.

In a statement, the cleric cited poor access to education and neglect of society as some of the reasons for insecurity in Nigeria.

Sheikh Gumi also stated that insecurity exists because some Nigerians struggle to find enough food for the day, while others possess private jets and enormous wealth.

He said, "Addressing Insecurity in Nigeria. The challenge of insecurity confronting our country requires us to look beyond immediate incidents and examine the deeper forces that have brought us to this point. As Muslims, we believe in divine providence: nothing happens outside the knowledge and decree of Allah. This does not mean that we should remain passive. Rather, it calls upon us to recognise our responsibility to address the causes of insecurity, while placing our trust in Allah and seeking His guidance.
One major cause is the long-standing neglect of our society, particularly in the areas of education, civility, moral upbringing, and empathy. A society cannot remain stable when large numbers of its people grow up without adequate education, without a strong sense of responsibility to others, and without the values that encourage mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. We must therefore invest not only in formal education, but also in character formation, civic responsibility, and the cultivation of empathy among our people.

"Another serious concern is the widening economic gap in our society. We have a situation in which some Nigerians struggle to find enough food for the day, while others possess private jets and enormous wealth. Such extreme disparities can generate frustration, resentment, and a sense of exclusion. We must therefore pursue an economy that creates opportunities, rewards hard work, reduces extreme deprivation, and gives ordinary citizens a genuine stake in the future of the country.

"We must also confront the reality that large swathes of our territory remain inadequately governed and insufficiently secured. Where government presence is weak or absent, criminal elements can establish themselves, operate freely, and terrorise surrounding communities. Strengthening state presence in these areas is therefore essential. The creation of additional territorial army divisions and forest guards is a positive step in the right direction, because our forests and vast rural spaces cannot be left as safe havens for criminals.

"We should know that insecurity is not caused by one factor, nor can it be defeated by military force alone. We need security, but we equally need education, economic justice, good governance, civic responsibility, and compassion. We must address both the symptoms and the underlying causes.

"Our response must therefore be comprehensive and sustained. If we combine effective security measures with social reform, economic opportunity, responsible governance, and the moral values that bind society together, we can begin to restore peace and rebuild confidence in our nation."

ASA