Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A sharp public critique has emerged from Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo, who faulted Reno Omokri for what he described as an attempt to spin Boris Johnson’s recent diplomatic comments on Nigeria’s safety into political ammunition. According to Omirhobo, the former UK Prime Minister’s brief and heavily protected stay in the country does not reflect the daily security ordeal faced by ordinary Nigerians.
He argued that Johnson experienced a curated version of Nigeria, shielded by multiple layers of security, far removed from the lived reality in places where kidnappings, banditry, and violent attacks have become routine. He maintained that while dignitaries are ushered through secure routes, average citizens continue to experience fear on highways, in rural communities, and even within once-secure urban centres.
Omirhobo directed his strongest criticism at Omokri, accusing him of knowingly misrepresenting the country’s security situation. He insisted that if Omokri truly believed his own narrative, he would comfortably travel through high-risk routes without escorts, something he argued Omokri would never attempt. He described Omokri’s defence of Nigeria’s safety as an act of political showmanship detached from the hardship many citizens endure.
He pointed to ongoing kidnappings, rampant attacks on farmers, ambushes on security personnel, and the rising number of missing travellers as evidence that the country’s security condition cannot be repackaged through public relations efforts. He warned that attempting to bury the truth behind diplomatic pleasantries only undermines the urgency required to address the crisis.
Omirhobo maintained that Nigeria remains a nation of immense promise, open to investment and international engagement, but stressed that progress cannot be achieved through denial. He argued that millions of citizens are currently unable to exercise basic freedom of movement without fear, a reality he said political commentary cannot erase.
In a Stone Reporters’ remark, similar scenarios have unfolded in past administrations where political actors attempted to counter public perception with optimistic messaging, only for the severity of insecurity to reveal itself through unfiltered daily experiences of citizens.
A professional observation shows that Omirhobo’s statement reflects a growing tension between government-aligned commentators and independent voices who insist that insecurity must be acknowledged plainly before reforms can yield meaningful results.
He concluded that Nigeria will not overcome its security challenges through propaganda but through honest appraisal, collective resolve, and leadership willing to confront the problem rather than mask it.
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