NIGERIA NEEDS SPIRITUAL SOLUTION TO INSECURITY – CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF, OGALLA, AS SOWORE SLAMS CNS, SAYS NIGERIA IS FINISHED

NIGERIA NEEDS SPIRITUAL SOLUTION TO INSECURITY – CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF, OGALLA, AS SOWORE SLAMS CNS, SAYS NIGERIA IS FINISHED

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has advocated spiritual solutions to the security challenges bedevilling Nigeria.

Ogalla spoke on Thursday while inaugurating three places of worship at the Navy Town, Asokoro, Abuja, as part of activities commemorating the Nigerian Navy at 69.

He said the Nigerian Navy recognised the purpose of spiritual upliftment of its personnel, hence the need to pay attention to places of worship for both Christians and Muslims.

He said that addressing the challenges of insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of threats required a wholesome approach, of which the spiritual solution was part.

Ogalla said, “We recognise that the challenges of insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of irregular threats that are facing us today are challenges that require a whole of society approach.

“So, while we look for the military solutions, we also believe that the spiritual solution is part of what we need to be able to surmount them.

“And these places of worship are key to shaping the minds and shaping the characters of not only our personnel but other Nigerians who use it”, Ogalla concluded.

Also speaking at the event, the Commander, Naval Unit Abuja, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, said the three newly completed places of worship include the Catholic Church, the Church of Redemption, and the Central Mosque.

Oladipo said the worship centres would serve personnel and residents of Navy Town, Admiralty and Lakeview Estates and environs as well as serve as functional nerve centres of the Directorate of Naval Chaplain Services the Directorate of Islamic Affairs.

He said that the construction works commenced on June 17, 2019 and were completed in April 2025.

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, however slammed Vice Admiral Ogalla, over his position, describing it as proof that the country is on a fast downward spiral.

Reacting to Ogalla’s comments, Sowore wrote: “The moment your Chief of Naval Staff starts to sound like this, just know that your country is finished!

He questioned the logic behind entrusting matters of national security to spirituality in a country already crippled by religious manipulation and institutional collapse.

In April, Sowore had outlined how he would end Nigerian insecurity problems if given the chance to lead Africa’s most populous nation.

Speaking in an interview with Symfoni, Sowore had accused the Nigerian ruling elite of weaponising poverty and overseeing a security architecture more loyal to personal gain than national protection.

They (Nigerian leaders) have failed and we have told Nigerian people, but they don’t want to listen to advice. They came here to take care of business — their own personal business,” Sowore said.

Sowore added that under his leadership, the Boko Haram insurgency, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, would be history.

“If I am in their position at this time, there won’t be Boko Haram anymore,” Sowore asserted.

“We have to solve the problem by attacking the root cause of the problem. The root cause of insecurity is first and foremost inequality. That is the first reason.”