Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has warned that Nigeria’s growing insecurity could soon put senior government officials, including ministers, senators, and governors, at risk if urgent action is not taken.
Buratai made the statement on Sunday while reacting to
reports that retired Major General Abubakar Rabe was killed by bandits.
He described the killing of a senior military officer as a
serious security concern, saying it shows that criminal groups are becoming
more daring.
“If this trend continues unchecked, the next targets may not
be soldiers or civilians alone. They could include ministers, senators, and
even state governors. No leader will be immune,” Buratai said.
The former army chief said the incident should serve as a
warning to the country, noting that insecurity continues to worsen despite
repeated concerns raised by security experts.
He recalled warning in 2021 that insurgency and banditry
could continue for many years if decisive action was not taken.
“Today, our nation is witnessing the grim unfolding of that
prediction. The capture, torture and eventual killing of a senior military
officer, Major General Rabe Abubakar, is not merely a tragedy; it marks a
dangerous threshold,” he stated.
Buratai said armed groups now operate with better
intelligence, more advanced weapons and growing confidence, making them a major
threat to national security.
He criticised the practice of paying ransoms and negotiating
with criminal groups, arguing that stronger military action is needed.
“The current reactive strategy, paying ransoms and
negotiating with criminals, must end. It is time for a full-scale, coordinated
military and intelligence offensive,” he said.
Buratai also called for the creation of a unified security
command that would directly oversee operations in states facing serious
security threats.
“The Federal Government should establish a unified command
with direct authority over all security agencies operating in high-risk states,
eliminating bureaucratic delays,” he advised.
He further urged authorities to identify and prosecute
individuals who support criminal groups through illegal mining, ransom
negotiations, and other forms of collaboration.
“Bandits do not survive on AK-47s alone. They rely on
networks of corrupt middlemen, illegal miners, ransom negotiators, and local
collaborators. These individuals must be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
The cost of supporting terrorism should be made unbearable,” Buratai said.
He stressed that only a coordinated national response can
prevent the security situation from deteriorating further and help restore
public confidence.
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