Militia groups on standby await state security, Clarion Chukwurah warns Tinubu

Veteran Nollywood actress Clarion Chukwurah has made a passionate plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to implement immediate interim security measures to combat the escalating insecurity in the country while the proposed state police structure is being established.

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Chukwurah expressed her admiration for the President's efforts in facilitating the creation of state police, describing it as a significant step towards addressing the country's security challenges, in an open letter shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday.

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The actress commended President Tinubu for his past sacrifices, noting that his experience as a fugitive on behalf of democracy in Nigeria has informed his recent move to establish state police, which she believes is a step in the right direction.

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However, Chukwurah warned that the process of establishing and deploying state police across the country, particularly in rural areas, could take between one and two years, emphasizing that insecurity demands immediate attention and intervention.

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She noted that the activities of kidnappers in rural communities are overwhelming and require urgent solutions, highlighting the need for immediate action to address the country's security challenges.

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According to Chukwurah, insecurity and poverty are major obstacles to national development, and the government's efforts are being hindered by internal political pressures, corruption, and mass unemployment.

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The actress argued that the government is facing significant challenges, including external political interference and corruption, which are undermining its efforts to combat poverty and insecurity.

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Chukwurah emphasized that many Nigerians living in poverty do not understand the challenges confronting the administration and often view the government as the enemy, which is why she felt compelled to make her plea to the President.

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The actress urged President Tinubu to direct part of the National Security Emergency Intervention Fund towards strengthening community self-defence through armed vigilante groups, which would enable communities to protect themselves.

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Chukwurah condemned the abduction of children, describing kidnappers as cowards who subject minors to harsh conditions in forests, and called for immediate action to address the issue.

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She alleged that kidnapping has flourished in Nigeria because kidnappers, neighbourhood informants, and some complicit police officers know that victims are often defenceless and powerless.

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The actress called on the government to provide support to enable schools to employ armed security personnel to protect pupils, teachers, and other staff members from attacks, which would help to replace the perception of indifference with compassion.

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By enabling immediate lines of defence for every community and providing assistance to schools to employ armed security personnel, Chukwurah believes that President Tinubu can demonstrate his commitment to addressing the country's security challenges and show compassion to the Nigerian people.