Equip Existing Police, Don’t Recruit 20,000 More Officers, Cardinal Onaiyekan Tells Tinubu

Cardinal John Onaiyekan has urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise equipping and supporting Nigeria’s current security personnel rather than recruiting 20,000 additional police officers, warning that the country cannot afford further delays in confronting its escalating insecurity.

Speaking at the 9th International Conference on Love and Tolerance in Abuja, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese said Nigeria has sufficient manpower but lacks the necessary tools, welfare and unified resolve to tackle violent groups terrorising communities.

Cardinal Onaiyekan stressed that Christians and Muslims must work together to confront those responsible for widespread killings, noting that a united front is the country’s strongest defence.

“We have finally agreed that we shall join hands and face them. And if we join hands, we can deal with them now,” he said. “With all these wonderful soldiers and police, we should be able to deal with them. I’m not even sure we need 20,000 more policemen. Arm them well, treat them well, and they will do their job.”

He warned that while global religious leaders are promoting harmony and cooperation, Nigeria continues to experience deepening internal polarisation—an issue he said threatens collective security.

President Tinubu had earlier announced plans to recruit 20,000 additional police officers as part of efforts to strengthen national security. But critics, including the Cardinal, argue that boosting the capacity of existing personnel would yield faster and more sustainable results.