In 2021, I sounded a stark warning that insurgency and banditry in Nigeria could persist for 20 years if drastic 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, Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar, is not merely a tragedy; it marks a dangerous threshold.
When a general falls into the hands of non-state actors, it signals a serious erosion of tactical deterrence. 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.
This is yet another wake-up call—but how many more will we sleep through?
My frank advice to the Federal and State Governments is as follows:
1. Admit the limitations of the current approach.
Bandits and insurgents now operate with intelligence, heavy weaponry, and audacity that rival conventional forces. The current reactive strategy, paying ransoms and negotiating with criminals, must end. It is time for a full-scale, coordinated military and intelligence offensive. We achieved significant successes between 2015 and 2019 through sustained operations. Similarly, the coordinated COVID-19 Task Force model demonstrated the effectiveness of unified action. A security lockdown of insurgent- and bandit-infested states should be considered to clear their hideouts and remote enclaves.
2. Establish a National Emergency Command.
Insecurity is no longer a regional problem; it is a national emergency. The Federal Government should establish a unified command with direct authority over all security agencies operating in high-risk states, eliminating bureaucratic delays. This command should report directly to the President and be given a clear, time-bound mandate to dismantle terrorist and bandit strongholds.
3. Go after the financiers and informants.
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.
4. Governors must take ownership.
It is no longer acceptable for state governors to leave security responsibilities entirely to the military. State policing initiatives, properly vetted local vigilante groups, and community intelligence networks should be strengthened and integrated into the broader security framework.
5. Protect our leaders, but, more importantly, protect the system.
The coming months may witness direct attacks on political leaders. While I pray this never happens, security arrangements for senior government officials should be strengthened through enhanced counter-ambush training and real-time intelligence sharing. Beyond protecting individuals, however, we must dismantle the criminal ecosystem that enables such attacks.
Finally, let me speak plainly: I am a patriot. I fought for this nation, and I have no interest in scoring political points. If we do not radically change our approach today, the headlines of tomorrow may make today’s tragedy seem like only a warning.
The abduction of ministers or governors is not inevitable, but it could become a real possibility if we continue with business as usual.
Let the death of Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar be the last preventable sacrifice.
— Tukur Buratai
