… says security leadership requires operational autonomy
For Dr. Mustapha Azeez, Managing Director of AZ Logistics, Nigeria’s worsening insecurity is not a mystery of armed bandits or foreign fighters.
NoIt is, rather, the predictable outcome of deep institutional failure — a breakdown that cuts across governance, security, justice, and political culture.
Speaking in a wide-ranging exclusive interview with JustNet News, Azeez traced the country’s security challenges to weak institutions, lack of political will, and a system that prioritises individuals over the nation.
Security Without Autonomy
Azeez recalled an Al Jazeera interview with a former Chief of Army Staff who had instructed soldiers to engage terrorists immediately without waiting for further clearance.
“That was when I knew he was going to be removed,” he said. “In Nigeria, the Commander-in-Chief is the President. Once a service chief appears to act independently, it becomes political.”
While acknowledging constitutional limits, Azeez argued that effective security leadership requires operational autonomy.
“How many issues can the President personally attend to in one day? That is why we have heads of agencies. But when institutions are weak, even necessary autonomy is seen as a threat.”
Terrorism from Within
According to Azeez, Nigeria’s security crisis is not driven by “rag-tag” fighters shown on television, but by powerful and shadowy interests operating behind the scenes.
“The real sponsors are not ordinary people. That is why Boko Haram has survived this long,” he said.
He cited former President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement that Boko Haram elements were embedded in government, describing it as an uncomfortable but accurate reflection of reality.
“When intelligence leaks before operations, when soldiers are ambushed repeatedly, it shows there is an internal problem,” he added.
A Militarised Elite, an Exposed Public
Azeez criticised the concentration of security personnel around politicians and top officials, leaving ordinary citizens vulnerable.
“One minister’s convoy looks like a presidential movement,” he said. “Meanwhile, schools, churches, mosques and highways are left exposed.”
He noted that Nigeria’s limited security manpower is disproportionately assigned to protecting politicians, senators, ministers, and top executives.
“Do the maths. Five policemen here, six there — multiplied across government and you will understand why bandits operate freely.”
Justice, Corruption and Double Standards
Beyond security, Azeez pointed to systemic injustice as another symptom of institutional decay.
“In Nigeria, a fruit seller can be lynched for stealing ₦1,000, but an official who steals billions walks free,” he said.
He lamented a judicial system compromised by political influence, where judges receive state-funded benefits and corruption cases end in token fines rather than accountability.
“That is not justice. That is institutional failure.”
Borders, Weapons and Silence
Azeez questioned why Nigeria struggles to secure its borders despite claims that terrorists enter from neighbouring countries.
“If they are coming from Mali, Libya or Chad, why can’t we stop them?” he asked. “Because some people benefit from the chaos.”
He also raised concerns about seized weapons that disappear after being “handed over” to authorities.
“Where are those weapons today?” he asked. “Nobody tells the public.”
Politics Over People
According to Azeez, Nigeria’s political class lacks the will to act decisively because doing so would threaten entrenched interests.
“They know the solution. They know the problem. But they don’t want to offend powerful sponsors or lose elections,” he said.
He described a political culture driven by ethnic, religious and financial manipulation, where voters are pacified with food, cash, or identity politics.
“Security votes are allocated every year. Budgets increase. Yet insecurity grows. So where is the money going?”
Institutions, Not Individuals
Azeez contrasted Nigeria with countries where strong institutions outlive weak leaders.
“In developed countries, even if an incompetent person becomes president, institutions limit the damage,” he said. “But in Nigeria, everything revolves around the individual.”
He stressed that governance must be continuous and rule-based, not personality-driven.
“A leader will come and go, but the country must remain. That is what we don’t understand.”
The Way Forward
Despite his pessimism, Azeez believes Nigeria’s problems are solvable — if the mindset changes.
“Our problems are local, and so are the solutions,” he said. “We must think as one nation, not as tribes or religions.”
He called for citizens to continue speaking out, even in the face of intimidation.
“If we don’t talk, nothing will change. This is our country. Nobody else will fix it for us.”
As Nigeria grapples with rising insecurity, economic hardship and public distrust, Azeez’s message is stark: without strong institutions and genuine political will, security operations, reforms and budgets will continue to fail.
“The greatest disaster Nigeria faces is not natural,” he said. “It is leadership.”