A leading northern presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has unveiled an ambitious eight-point security and economic reform plan, promising sweeping action against terrorism, banditry, and financial crime if elected. He argues that Nigeria's insecurity and economic hardship are deeply interconnected and must be tackled together from day one in office.
Linking Insecurity and Economic Hardship
Hayatu-Deen stated that insecurity and economic hardship are "the same problem," explaining that rising violence directly affects food production, trade, and employment, thereby deepening poverty across the country. He emphasized, "When farmers cannot reach their fields, food prices rise. When traders cannot move goods, the cost of living rises. When young men cannot find work, criminal networks find recruits." He added that restoring the authority of the state is essential to breaking this vicious cycle.
Immediate Actions Proposed
The aspirant stressed that his proposals are not theoretical, describing them as "immediate actions" rather than long-term campaign promises. His plan includes formally designating violent groups such as Yan Bindiga, ISWAP-linked syndicates, and other armed networks as terrorist organizations under existing legal powers.
He also promised accelerated prosecution of bandits and kidnappers through specialized terrorism courts, arguing that delays and lenient outcomes have weakened deterrence. The plan further includes dismantling financing networks through coordinated action by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), alongside a joint intelligence system to track ransom flows and criminal communications.
Key Elements of the Eight-Point Plan
- Declaring terrorist groups and prosecuting offenders under fast-track courts
- Dismantling financing networks via EFCC and CBN coordination
- Ending federal involvement in ransom payments or negotiated amnesties
- Reviving the Multi-National Joint Task Force
- Improving intelligence coordination across security agencies
- Strengthening national policing capacity
- Launching targeted economic recovery programs in high-risk regions
- Rebuilding regional security cooperation
Hayatu-Deen insisted that the state must not legitimize criminality, vowing to end federal involvement in ransom payments or negotiated amnesties with armed groups. He maintained that Nigeria "deserves a government that can defend its citizens" and restore confidence in state authority.
