Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has warned that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity could expose top government officials, including ministers, senators and governors, to attacks by terrorists and bandits if urgent action is not taken.
Buratai made the remark on Sunday night while reacting to the reported killing of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe by suspected bandits, describing the incident as a sign of deepening security challenges and a threat to national stability.
According to the former army chief, the continued deterioration of security poses dangers not only to military personnel and civilians but also to high-ranking political leaders.
He criticized the payment of ransom and negotiations with criminal groups, insisting that the time had come for a comprehensive military and intelligence offensive aimed at crushing terrorists and bandits.
Buratai also urged the Federal Government to establish a special joint task force to coordinate security operations in the most affected states under direct presidential command.
In addition, he called for the identification and prosecution of individuals aiding terrorism, including illegal miners, ransom negotiators and other collaborators.
He stressed that only a united national response would halt the worsening insecurity and restore public confidence in the country’s security agencies