Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has sparked fresh debate with strong comments on insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

He said irresponsible parenting, especially unregulated polygamy and the abandonment of children, is one of the main reasons for the rising violence and crime in the region. According to him, many children who grow up without proper care end up on the streets and later become involved in banditry or terrorism.

Olayinka gave a clear example to support his point. He spoke about a gate man earning just N60,000 per month who has four wives and 17 children. He argued that it is almost impossible for such a man to take good care of his large family. As a result, many of the children are left to fend for themselves, often seen begging on the streets of Abuja and other cities.

He warned that these neglected and hungry children could easily be recruited into criminal groups.

Olayinka noted that many of today’s terrorists and bandits were once innocent kids who were forgotten by their parents. He stressed that parents must take full responsibility for the number of children they bring into the world.

The comments have drawn attention to a long-standing issue in parts of the North. In 2021, Cardinal John Onaiyekan had also blamed the Almajiri system for contributing to insecurity. Many people agree that proper parenting and family planning are important in solving the problem.

As the discussion continues, Olayinka’s statement has reminded Nigerians that insecurity is not only about guns and soldiers. It also starts from the home and how families are raised. Many hope leaders and communities will now pay more attention to family values and child welfare as part of the fight for lasting peace in the North.