Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has warned that Nigeria’s worsening security crisis could expose top government officials, including ministers, senators and state governors, to attacks by terrorists and bandits if urgent action is not taken.
Buratai made the warning while reacting to the reported killing of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe by armed bandits, describing the incident as a disturbing development with far-reaching implications for national security.
According to him, the murder of a senior military officer by non-state actors highlights the growing boldness and operational strength of criminal groups across the country.
“Let me be clear: 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,” he said.
The former army chief described the incident as another wake-up call for authorities, stressing that the country’s security challenges have continued to escalate despite repeated warnings from stakeholders.
Buratai recalled that he had predicted in 2021 that insurgency and banditry could remain a major threat for years if decisive steps were not taken to address the problem.
He said the reported capture, torture and killing of General Rabe represents a dangerous turning point in the nation’s security situation.
According to him, criminal groups now possess sophisticated weapons, intelligence networks and operational capabilities that increasingly challenge conventional security forces.
Buratai criticised what he described as a largely reactive approach to tackling insecurity, arguing that strategies centred on negotiations and ransom payments have failed to produce lasting results.
He called for a coordinated military and intelligence operation aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks across the country.
The retired military officer pointed to gains recorded in the fight against insurgency between 2015 and 2019, insisting that a similar level of commitment and coordination is needed to confront current threats.
He also proposed the establishment of a unified national security command structure, similar to the Presidential Task Force used during the COVID-19 pandemic, to oversee operations in high-risk areas.
According to him, such a command should have direct authority over all security agencies operating in affected states and report directly to the President.
Buratai further urged the government to intensify efforts to identify and prosecute individuals providing financial or logistical support to criminal groups.
He noted that banditry and terrorism thrive through networks involving illegal miners, local collaborators, ransom negotiators and other enablers who must be brought to justice.
The former army chief maintained that only a comprehensive national response involving military action, intelligence gathering and disruption of criminal financing networks can reverse the current security trend and restore public confidence.
