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Presidency Advised to Consider Strategic Lockdowns as Security Solution
Presidency Advised to Consider Strategic Lockdowns as Security Solution
Policy memorandum from CRADI outlines targeted, intelligence-led measures against insurgents and bandits
The Presidency has been advised to adopt strategic, intelligence-driven lockdowns as part of a new framework to counter terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent criminality threatening national stability.
This recommendation was contained in a Policy Advisory Memorandum submitted to the Federal Government by the Crest Research and Development Institute (CRADI) and authored by conflict and security expert, Isa Mohammed.
The memorandum argues that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity requires urgent, innovative approaches beyond conventional military operations, pointing to lessons from other conflict zones as well as Nigeria’s own COVID-19 lockdown experience.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Nigeria currently faces overlapping layers of violence:
- Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in the Northeast.
- Banditry, mass kidnappings, and illegal mining in the Northwest.
- Farmer–herder clashes and communal violence in the North Central.
- Separatist-linked attacks in the Southeast.
- Oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and cult-related violence in the South-South.
- Rising cases of kidnappings and armed robbery in the Southwest.
According to the memorandum, this mosaic of insecurity has eroded public trust in state authority and demands a coordinated strategy that can disrupt criminal networks while safeguarding civilian lives.
“Conventional military campaigns alone cannot address these overlapping threats,” Mohammed wrote. “Strategic lockdowns, when carefully designed, can restrict terrorist mobility, cut off supply lines, and create the operational space for intelligence-led security operations.”
Buratai’s Call Sparks Policy Debate
The proposal builds on a recent intervention by former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd.), who called for a nationwide strategic lockdown as a tool to curb rising insecurity.
CRADI responded by convening a Policy Lab under its Co-Creation and Innovation Lab (CCIL), bringing together security practitioners, conflict analysts, governance experts, humanitarian actors, and community stakeholders.
The Lab drew lessons from Nigeria’s COVID-19 lockdown, which, despite its economic costs, succeeded in reducing certain forms of crime and giving security forces a clearer view of population movements. Participants agreed that lockdowns can be effective, but only if targeted, intelligence-driven, and sensitive to humanitarian needs.
Targeted, Not Blanket Lockdowns
The memorandum strongly cautioned against a nationwide shutdown, arguing it would cripple livelihoods without delivering sustainable security. Instead, CRADI recommended zonal lockdowns tailored to local dynamics.
Northeast: Seal borders with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon; enforce curfews around the Lake Chad Basin and Mandara Mountains.
Northwest: Impose lockdowns in forest belts such as Rugu, Kamuku, and Birnin Gwari; ban illegal mining; restrict rural mobility.
North Central: Enforce lockdowns in conflict flashpoints; secure farmlands with patrols; regulate grazing routes to reduce clashes.
Southeast: Introduce night curfews; restrict unauthorized assemblies; secure major highways against attacks.
South-South: Implement surveillance lockdowns along pipeline corridors and waterways to combat oil theft and cult-related violence.
Southwest: Apply tactical restrictions in forest reserves, especially the Ondo–Ogun axis, which has become a haven for kidnappers.
Security and Humanitarian Balance
The memorandum stressed that any lockdown must prioritize civilians’ welfare. Relief distribution, medical services, and humanitarian corridors must be integral parts of the plan.
“Lockdowns cannot succeed if they punish communities more than they hurt terrorists,” the Policy Lab concluded.
Civil society groups, traditional rulers, and religious leaders were identified as key partners in sensitization and community buy-in. International partners such as the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS were also highlighted as potential providers of technical and logistical support.
Oversight and Rule of Law
The memorandum insisted that the rule of law and accountability are essential if the strategy is to maintain legitimacy.
It proposed the creation of a Joint Oversight Mechanism comprising parliamentary committees, the National Human Rights Commission, and civil society actors to monitor enforcement, prevent abuse, and provide citizens with grievance platforms.
Security personnel would be required to operate under clear rules of engagement that respect constitutional rights while allowing decisive action against armed groups.
Implementation Plan
The strategy would unfold in phases:
First 3 months: Map security hotspots, enact legal frameworks, and sensitize communities.
Next 3–6 months: Enforce lockdowns, deploy security forces, and provide humanitarian relief.
After 6 months: Evaluate effectiveness, with adjustments made as needed. Successful areas would transition into community policing and peacebuilding efforts, while unresolved hotspots could see extended lockdowns.
Lockdowns would be strictly time-bound, lasting three to six months in any area, with extensions subject to National Assembly approval.
Measuring Success
Quarterly reports would be submitted to the Presidency anthe d National Assembly. Progress indicators would include:
Reduction in attacks and kidnappings.
Arrest or neutralization of high-value targets.
Destruction of terrorist and bandit camps.
Safe return of displaced persons.
Restoration of farming, trade, and socio-economic activities.
Restoring Authority and Stability
In its conclusion, the memorandum framed the proposal as an opportunity for the Federal Government to regain the initiative in its security strategy.
“General Buratai’s call for a strategic lockdown is an urgent reminder that Nigeria must rethink its approach to insecurity,” Mohammed wrote.
“If implemented with strong oversight, humanitarian sensitivity, and clear timelines, strategic lockdowns can help restore state authority, protect vulnerable communities, and lay the foundation for peacebuilding and long-term stability.”
Energy experts in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector have defended the pricing structure of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, accusing some fuel markers of attempting to blackmail the refinery and mislead the public over the recent increase in petrol prices.
The experts said reports suggesting that the refinery’s latest adjustment is solely responsible for the recent hike in fuel prices were misleading, noting that importers are also bringing in petrol at almost a N1,000 per litre, while the refinery’s coastal price is N948 and the gantry or ex-depot price stands at N995 per litre.
They stressed that public comparisons fail to consider the differences in pricing structures and supply channels.
According to the experts, N948 per litre represents the coastal delivery price, which refers to petroleum products transported by marine vessels or barges from the refinery to depots along the coastline. On the other hand, N995 per litre represents the gantry or ex-depot price, which is the rate paid by marketers who load petrol directly from the refinery into tanker trucks at the loading gantry for onward distribution across the country.
The experts explained that the two figures should not be interpreted as conflicting prices but rather as different logistics arrangements within the petroleum distribution chain.
Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, energy expert David Okon said the pricing adjustments were inevitable given prevailing market conditions.
According to him, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals operates in a deregulated market and procures crude at international prices, which have risen sharply due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“The refinery is already absorbing part of the cost to cushion the impact of the crisis on Nigerians. We can see what is happening in other parts of the world where shortages and scarcity are being reported despite higher prices, yet the Dangote Refinery has continued to guarantee domestic supply,” he said.
Okon explained that when the refinery previously sold petrol at N774 per litre, crude oil was landing at about $68 per barrel. However, with crude now arriving at roughly $95 per barrel, the cost difference of about $27 per barrel translates to nearly N40,000 per barrel when converted to Naira.
“You cannot expect a refinery to continue selling at the old rate under those circumstances,” he added.
“If imported products were truly cheaper, importers would still be selling at the previous prices.”
He warned that without local refining capacity, Nigeria could have faced severe fuel shortages, long queues at filling stations and a resurgence of black market sales.
“Without the Dangote Refinery, many filling stations would likely shut down, queues would return across the country and black market traders would exploit the situation, hawking four litres keg at N20,000 or more. The refinery has effectively prevented that scenario,” he said.
Another analyst, Mohammed Ibrahim, also faulted narratives circulating in some quarters suggesting that the refinery’s pricing adjustment was responsible for worsening economic hardship in the country.
Accusing some importers of attempting to manipulate public perception, he said, “What we are seeing is nothing but deliberate blackmail by some fuel importers who feel threatened by local refining.
“They are twisting the pricing structure to mislead Nigerians and create unnecessary panic in the market.
“By exaggerating the refinery’s gantry price and ignoring the comparable costs of imported fuel, they are trying to make it appear as though Dangote Refinery is the cause of rising prices and economic hardship. This is a calculated attempt to protect their import businesses and undermine local refining, which is meant to reduce our dependence on imported petrol.”
Ibrahim added that such narratives were aimed at portraying the refinery as the reason Nigerians were struggling with higher petrol prices.
He stressed that petrol pricing in Nigeria is largely influenced by global crude oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations, and distribution logistics, noting that these factors affect both locally refined and imported fuel in the country’s deregulated market.
Afolabi Olowookere, Managing Director and Chief Economist at Analysts’ Data Services and Resources (ADSR) Limited, explained that although Nigerians expect refined products from the refinery to be significantly cheaper, prevailing market realities such as global crude oil prices, the cost of crude supply and refining margins make substantial price reductions unlikely in the short term.
“Therefore, improving domestic crude allocation to the refinery would strengthen supply stability and enhance the long term benefits of local refining for the economy,” Olowookere noted.
Recent conflicts in the Middle East and disruptions along key shipping lanes have tightened global oil supply, pushing crude prices past $90 per barrel, a development that directly raises the cost of both imported and locally refined petrol in Nigeria.
The unrest has pushed up fuel costs and transportation in several countries, including Ghana, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, and Japan, as rising crude prices increase the cost of refining, distribution, and logistics globally.
CHETACHI NWOGA-ECTON EMPOWERS 300 WIDOWS IN IMO
A renowned humanitarian and proud daughter of Mbaise in Imo State, High Chief (Dr.) Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton, has empowered over 300 widows and vulnerable women across the Owerri Zone, in a remarkable demonstration of compassion and service to humanity.
The empowerment programme, which took place at the Palace of the Eze of Ngor Okpala, HRH Eze Engr. Fredrick Nwachukwu, brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups and beneficiaries from different communities within the zone.
During the event, the widows received food materials and cash support, aimed at helping them meet basic needs and strengthen their small-scale businesses.
The initiative was widely applauded as a timely intervention to support women who often face severe economic hardship after losing their spouses.
Many of the beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation to High Chief (Dr.) Nwoga-Ecton, describing the empowerment as a lifeline that would help them take better care of their families.
Some widows, while offering prayers for the philanthropist, noted that the gesture had restored hope and dignity in their lives.
Fondly known as Ada Imo and Adaure, High Chief (Dr.) Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton has earned widespread admiration for her consistent humanitarian efforts both within Nigeria and internationally.
Through her philanthropic activities and foundations, she has continued to support widows, children, and vulnerable communities with interventions in healthcare, welfare and economic empowerment.
Community stakeholders who attended the programme commended the Mbaise-born philanthropist for her generosity and dedication to uplifting the less privileged, noting that her actions reflect true leadership and compassion.
Observers say the initiative further reinforces her growing reputation as one of the most impactful humanitarians of this generation, whose commitment to humanity continues to inspire hope across Imo State and beyond.
UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF ACTING ADMIN KING OF THE UKA THRONE
March 6, 2026 – In a landmark royal decree, the Office of the Minister of Information & Culture of the United Kingdom of Atlantis (UKA) has announced the appointment of His Imperial Royal Eminence, King Sir Benny Terry Danson, as the Acting Admin King of the UKA Throne. The nomination was issued through an official directive from the UKA Throne and is intended to pave the way for King Sir Benny Terry Danson’s eventual ascension to the title of Official Emperor Admin of the Throne, subject to the completion of necessary formal and constitutional processes.
The UKA Throne emphasized that the appointment underscores its unwavering commitment to competence, dedication, and integrity as the guiding principles for all administrative functions within the government structure. Officials stated that the decision is a strategic move to reinforce national leadership and accelerate the kingdom’s vision of becoming a more efficient, progressive, and unified nation.
The new Acting Admin King will oversee initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable growth, improving public service delivery, and promoting collective national development among citizens and followers of the UKA. The government expressed deep appreciation for the continuous love, loyalty, and support shown by the populace, noting that public engagement is essential for the kingdom’s shared prosperity and advancement.
Further details regarding the formalization of the appointment, including ceremonial schedules and administrative timelines, will be released to the public in due course through official communication channels.
Report Highlights:
– Nominee: King Sir Benny Terry Danson, Acting Admin King.
– Objective: Transition toward becoming Official Emperor Admin of the UKA Throne.
– Focus: Strengthening governance through competence, dedication, and integrity.
– Impact: Expected to drive national efficiency, progress, and unity.
– Next Steps: Official ceremonies and constitutional procedures to follow.
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