Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) Says Lawmakers’ Project Funds Are Useless Without Security

Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) has argued that money typically allocated to lawmakers for constituency projects should instead be urgently redirected to improving security across communities nationwide. He maintained that development cannot thrive in places where citizens live in fear, stressing that the first responsibility of any government is to secure lives and property. According to him, “If you don’t save the constituency, what project will you do there?”—a question he said lawmakers must confront with sincerity.

He explained that while constituency projects remain important for physical development, the increasing spate of kidnappings, banditry, and communal violence makes security a more immediate priority. The retired military officer noted that without safe roads, market spaces, schools, and farms, investments in infrastructure may end up wasted. Therefore, he urged national and state legislators to collaborate with security agencies to allocate more funds toward actionable community-level protection.

Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) further emphasized that the economic cost of insecurity is far greater than many lawmakers admit. He argued that when rural communities are displaced or too frightened to engage in economic activity, the entire country suffers. Redirecting constituency funds to security interventions, he said, would not only protect lives but also preserve the value of developmental projects that might otherwise be destroyed or abandoned.

Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) Advocates Indigenous Homeland Security System

In his remarks, Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) called for the adoption of an indigenous homeland security model that empowers local communities to defend themselves responsibly. He argued that Nigeria’s current reliance on centralized security structures alone is insufficient to tackle threats that emerge at the grassroots. He proposed a decentralized, culturally grounded security framework that complements federal efforts while reflecting local realities.

He stated that many rural areas possess unique communal intelligence systems that can be formalized to support law enforcement. This approach, he said, would allow communities to detect threats early, improve intelligence gathering, and respond rapidly before incidents escalate. He stressed that indigenous security structures—properly regulated and integrated—would strengthen resilience and create a sense of ownership among residents.

Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) noted that countries around the world are already adopting similar models that combine modern policing with community-driven security strategies. He highlighted that Nigeria must not ignore the institutional knowledge held by traditional leaders and local vigilantes, as these groups often understand the terrain, culture, and patterns of criminal movement better than distant security operatives.

Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) Says Youths—Including Those Living With HIV or Hepatitis—Should Be Recruited

In a bold suggestion, Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) recommended expanding recruitment into community security outfits to include young Nigerians across various backgrounds, including those living with HIV or hepatitis who remain physically capable. He argued that not all roles within a homeland security structure require intense physical combat and that many such individuals can contribute meaningfully in intelligence, surveillance, communication, logistics, and administrative functions.

He explained that excluding willing and capable youths based solely on health conditions that do not impair their operational capacity limits the nation’s manpower potential. According to him, “security work is not defined only by carrying guns,” and many auxiliary roles exist that can be performed effectively by individuals who are often marginalized in traditional recruitment processes. Opening the door to such youths, he said, would create employment, reduce social vulnerability, and strengthen community security networks.

Maj-Gen John Enenche (rtd) concluded that Nigeria must rethink its security architecture to reflect both the urgency of its challenges and the potential within its population. He insisted that inclusive recruitment, local intelligence, and redirected funding toward security would create safer environments where constituency projects can truly thrive.