Nigerian cleric Pastor Emmanuel Iren has spoken frankly about the country’s security situation, calling it one of the best-equipped in the world, but one that only works properly for those who can afford it.
His comments come as debates continue over alleged Christian persecution in Northern Nigeria, especially after the United States labeled Nigeria a “country of particular concern.”
The Federal Government has rejected this classification as false.
Pastor Iren argued that Nigeria’s security forces have the infrastructure and capability to do their job well, but the system favors the rich and powerful while ignoring everyday citizens.
He said wealthy or well-connected people get quick action from law enforcement, while poor and vulnerable Nigerians are often left without help or justice.
“The real problem isn’t lack of capacity, it’s that justice isn’t equally distributed,” he explained.
He pointed out that when violence happens in poor communities, those voices are easily ignored, allowing attacks and injustice to continue unchecked.
In his own words:
“I think, personal opinion, our security infrastructure is actually one of the best in the world. Let me land and you will agree with me.
Be a rich person in trouble, drop money and see, they will bring the thief for you.
Am I lying? So maybe the problem is, where the wickedness is happening, the voices there are poor. Maybe it doesn’t matter much to us as much as we pretend.”
His statement has triggered online discussions, with many Nigerians agreeing that while the country’s security agencies have the resources and skills to perform well, corruption and inequality decide who actually gets protection.
