Dipo Kehinde/
For the first time in 28 years since he fled Nigeria following the death of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, the former head of the Directorate of Military Intelligence’s (DMI) Security/Interrogation Unit, Lt. Col. Frank Omenka (retd.), has broken his silence from exile in Brazil, warning that Nigeria is sliding dangerously towards a militia state. He called for a radical overhaul of the country’s security architecture.
Speaking during a virtual conference interview today organised by a group of prominent Nigerian journalists, including Dapo Olorunyomi, Kunle Ajibade, Adeolu Adewunmi, Eniola Bello and Azubuike Ishiekwene, Omenka reflected on his years under the Abacha administration and offered a prescription for tackling the nation’s worsening insecurity.
The retired military intelligence chief said Nigeria’s security challenges had reached a stage where citizens should be legally empowered to defend themselves.
“Nigeria is bleeding,” Omenka said during the Teams conference call. “We are turning very rapidly into a militia state. Look at Sudan and then begin to understand what is likely to happen to Nigeria.”
He expressed concern over the growing activities of bandits, kidnappers and armed groups across the country, arguing that communities should be permitted to possess legally registered firearms for self-defence.
“Why is it that Nigerians can’t be armed with at least double-barrel guns?” he said. “You buy it officially, you are registered, the police have your records, the DSS has it, and everybody knows you are licensed to own it.”
According to him, the widespread availability of legally registered firearms among responsible citizens would serve as a deterrent to criminal elements terrorising communities.
Beyond civilian armament, Omenka proposed the mobilisation of retired military and police personnel across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas as a community-based security reserve force.
He noted that virtually every local government area has retired security personnel who could be organised, retrained and equipped to help protect vulnerable communities.
“We can arm our people and go for retired soldiers. There is no local government in Nigeria without retired military personnel and police officers,” he said. “Refresh their training, officially issue them weapons for defence, and let them coordinate with nearby military formations.”
The former intelligence boss argued that criminals would be less emboldened if communities possessed the capacity to resist attacks.
He also raised concerns about Nigeria’s political future, questioning the vision of politicians seeking elective office amid growing separatist agitations and regional tensions.
“What Nigeria are they campaigning to rule?” he said. “Is it a Nigeria without Biafra, without Oduduwa land or without Arewa? What Nigeria are they campaigning to rule?”
Omenka further criticised what he described as excessive privileges enjoyed by public office holders, particularly former governors who continue to draw pensions after leaving office. He questioned the sustainability of such benefits at a time of widespread poverty and economic hardship.
The retired officer also advocated reforms in the management of Nigeria’s oil resources, insisting that ownership of oil wells should not be concentrated in private hands.
“No individual should own an oil well in Nigeria,” he said.
Omenka served as Head of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) during the administration of General Abacha and left the country after the military ruler’s death in June 1998. Since then, he has largely remained out of public view.
His latest intervention comes amid renewed national debate over state policing, community security initiatives and the search for lasting solutions to Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.
He also fielded questions on his activities at the DMI that was accused of torture and other human rights abuses. He refused to own up to any wrongdoing and tendered no apology. That section of the interview will soon be published by the NewsmakersNG.
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