Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has raised concerns over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, warning that ministers, senators, and governors could become future targets of bandits and insurgents if urgent action is not taken.
Buratai issued the warning in a statement titled “A Frank and Patriotic Advice on Nigeria’s Escalating Security Crisis” following reports of the abduction and killing of senior military officer, Maj.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar.
According to the retired army chief, the killing of a high-ranking military officer by non-state actors represents a dangerous escalation in the country’s security challenges and should serve as a serious warning to government authorities.
He noted that the incident reflects a weakening of the state’s deterrence capacity, cautioning that continued deterioration could expose top political office holders to similar threats.
“When a general falls into the hands of non-state actors, it signals a serious erosion of tactical deterrence. If this trend continues unchecked, the next targets may not be soldiers or civilians alone. They could include ministers, senators, and even state governors,” Buratai stated.
The former Nigerian ambassador to Benin Republic recalled his 2021 prediction that insurgency and banditry could persist for up to 20 years unless decisive measures were taken, adding that recent developments appear to support that assessment.
Buratai argued that the Federal Government must acknowledge the shortcomings of its current security strategy, noting that criminal groups now possess advanced intelligence networks, sophisticated weapons, and growing confidence in challenging state authority.
He called for an end to negotiations with bandits and insurgents and urged the government to launch a coordinated military and intelligence offensive against terrorist and criminal networks.
According to him, military operations conducted between 2015 and 2019 demonstrated that sustained pressure could significantly weaken insurgent groups.
As part of his recommendations, Buratai proposed the creation of a National Emergency Command with direct authority over security agencies operating in high-risk areas.
He said such a structure would reduce bureaucratic delays and improve coordination.
“Insecurity is no longer a regional problem; it is a national emergency,” he said, stressing that the proposed command should report directly to the President and focus on dismantling terrorist and bandit strongholds.
The retired general also emphasized the need to target those who finance and support criminal activities, including illegal miners, ransom negotiators, and local collaborators.
“Bandits do not survive on weapons alone. They depend on support networks that must be identified, dismantled, and prosecuted,” he added.
Buratai further urged state governors to play a more active role in addressing insecurity by supporting state policing initiatives, properly vetted vigilante groups, and community-based intelligence systems integrated into national security structures.
While advocating stronger protection measures for public officials through improved intelligence sharing and counter-ambush strategies, he maintained that the broader goal should be the dismantling of the criminal networks driving insecurity across the country.
Describing his intervention as patriotic and non-political, Buratai called on leaders to act swiftly before the situation deteriorates further.
“If we do not radically change our approach today, the headlines of tomorrow may make today’s tragedy seem like only a warning,” he said.
He added that although the kidnapping of senior political leaders is not inevitable, it could become a realistic possibility if authorities continue with what he described as a “business as usual” approach.
Buratai concluded by urging the government to ensure that the death of Maj.-Gen. Abubakar becomes “the last preventable sacrifice” in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
