Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Senator and Labour Party governorship candidate in Imo State, Athan Achonu, has made explosive allegations that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity is being deliberately sustained by state governors and a powerful mining cartel, who he said are exploiting the chaos to advance their personal and political interests. Speaking on Arise News on Friday, June 19, 2026, Achonu dismissed the narrative that banditry and terrorism are purely criminal enterprises, insisting instead that the crisis is being enabled by powerful elites who profit from the mayhem.
"It's the governors and the mining cartel. It's straightforward and simple," Achonu declared, claiming that insecurity is deliberately allowed to thrive in some areas for political advantage. He argued that the failure to address the crisis in certain states is not accidental but a calculated strategy by political actors to retain control and protect illegal economic interests.
Citing his experience as a former lawmaker, Achonu recalled investigating the activities of Chinese nationals operating in forest communities across Nigeria. "I investigated it. I was wondering why Chinese were living in the forest, foreigners relating with the bandits, while villagers were running away and being kidnapped," he said. His findings, he claimed, pointed to a well-organised solid mineral cartel that operates with impunity, exploiting Nigeria's vast mineral resources while fueling violence and displacement. "I investigated to find out what was happening. It's the solid mineral cartel that ruined Congo. They're here," he warned, drawing a parallel to the resource-driven conflicts that have devastated the Democratic Republic of Congo for decades.
Achonu also alleged that his personal efforts to improve security in Imo State were deliberately frustrated by the government. He recounted a personal intervention where he offered to fund the repair of police stations in the Okigwe zone and provided ₦100 million to Innoson Vehicles to refurbish Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) for the Nigeria Police Force. "Please allow me to fix the police stations in Okigwe. I brought my money. I gave Innoson ₦100 million to fix police APCs on their behalf, but the government blocked it," he claimed, expressing frustration that his gesture was rejected despite the dire security situation in the region.
Drawing on historical precedent, Achonu quoted former military ruler General Sani Abacha, saying: "Any time you have insecurity that lasts for more than 48 hours, that government has a hand in it." He argued that prolonged insecurity in any part of the country is evidence of official complicity or negligence, and that the current crisis has been allowed to fester because those in power find it advantageous to their political calculations.
On the proposed solution of state police, Achonu voiced strong opposition, warning that such a structure could be easily weaponised by powerful governors. "I won't go to Imo State again if the government is controlling both police and criminals," he had previously stated in a separate interview, according to reports. Instead, he advocated for a multi-layered security approach that strengthens local government structures, empowers regional security arrangements, and deploys forest guards to monitor and secure rural and forested areas where bandits and illegal miners operate with relative impunity.
His comments come amid growing public frustration over the government's inability to curb banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism across the country. Achonu's allegations add to a chorus of voices, including civil society groups and opposition politicians, who have long suspected that powerful interests are fueling insecurity for personal gain. The Federal Government has yet to respond to his specific allegations. However, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, had earlier cautioned the media against giving excessive publicity to terrorists and bandits, urging responsible journalism in the interest of national security. Achonu's claims, if proven, would represent one of the most serious indictments of political leadership in Nigeria's contemporary history.
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