Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over what he described as a failing security strategy, questioning why terrorist groups continue to adapt and improve their operations while government responses remain largely unchanged.
In a strongly worded statement, Atiku said the increasing spread of terrorism, banditry and kidnappings across Nigeria shows that the country’s current counterterrorism framework is no longer effective. According to him, criminals are constantly learning from past attacks, refining their methods and exploiting weaknesses, while authorities continue to react instead of staying ahead of the threats.
The former vice president argued that Nigeria has failed to learn important lessons from previous tragedies, including the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, noting that years later, schoolchildren and teachers are still being kidnapped in different parts of the country. He warned that a nation that refuses to learn from its mistakes is bound to repeat them.
Atiku called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s National Counterterrorism Policy, urging the Federal Government to adopt solutions based on local realities rather than relying heavily on foreign models. He also proposed the creation of a Terrorism Violence Peer Review Mechanism that would allow affected communities, security agencies and local leaders to share experiences and develop practical strategies for preventing future attacks.
The ADC flagbearer further advocated stronger intelligence gathering, improved surveillance technology, better border security and the establishment of specialised Counterterrorism Fusion Centres across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. He stressed that defeating terrorism requires more than military operations, insisting that authorities must also dismantle the financial networks supporting criminal groups.
Atiku additionally linked insecurity to poverty, unemployment and poor governance, calling for increased investment in education, job creation and rural development. He maintained that addressing the root causes of insecurity is just as important as combating terrorists on the battlefield.
Questioning the impact of billions spent on security over the years, Atiku said Nigerians are feeling less secure despite huge budgetary allocations. He described the situation as a failure of strategy, coordination, accountability and leadership, urging the Tinubu administration to move beyond rhetoric and implement reforms capable of restoring public confidence in the nation’s security system.
Source: Statement by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu.
