President and Chief Executive Officer of RTH Consulting, Richard Hines has urged Nigeria’s security agencies to uphold their loyalty to the Nigerian Constitution and not to personal or religious beliefs.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, Hines said his extensive experience in Nigeria has given him a deep understanding of the country’s security challenges, particularly issues relating to the structure and composition of the armed forces. “I have been in Nigeria so many times. Your national police and even the military is somewhat dominated by one tribe, the Fulani. I’m sure they are fundamentalist Islamic believers in the army and they personally need to understand that their allegiance needs to be to the laws of Nigeria, not to their personal faith,” he stated.
Hines, an international security and governance expert, stressed that professionalism, neutrality, and accountability are essential for maintaining peace and unity in a diverse country like Nigeria. He warned that when loyalty within the military and police is influenced by ethnic or religious identity, it undermines national stability and public trust.
According to him, Nigeria’s diversity should be reflected in its institutions to ensure fairness and equal representation. “No country can function effectively if its security apparatus is perceived as biased or unbalanced,” he said. “Nigeria’s greatness lies in its pluralism, and that must also be seen in its law enforcement and defense systems.”