Buratai Raises Alarm Over Rising Insecurity, Warns Ministers, Governors, Senators Could Become Targets

By Tgnews Reporter

Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has warned that Nigeria’s escalating insecurity could soon place senior government officials, including ministers, senators and state governors, directly in the crosshairs of criminal groups if urgent measures are not taken to stem the tide of violence.

Buratai issued the warning on Sunday while reacting to reports of the killing of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe by bandits, describing the incident as a troubling indication of the growing boldness and sophistication of armed criminal networks operating across the country.

According to the retired army chief, the murder of a senior military officer signals a dangerous shift in the security landscape and underscores the need for immediate and coordinated action.

“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,” Buratai warned.

He said the killing should serve as a wake-up call for authorities, noting that security experts have repeatedly cautioned against the worsening threat posed by insurgents and bandits.

Buratai recalled that he had warned as far back as 2021 that insurgency and banditry could persist for years if decisive measures were not implemented to confront the challenges.

“Today, our nation is witnessing the grim unfolding of that prediction. The capture, torture and eventual killing of a senior military officer, Major General Rabe Abubakar, is not merely a tragedy; it marks a dangerous threshold,” he stated.

The former army chief noted that criminal groups now possess improved intelligence-gathering capabilities, more sophisticated weapons and increasing operational confidence, making them a serious threat to national stability.

He criticised what he described as a reactive security strategy, particularly the payment of ransoms and negotiations with criminal elements, arguing that such approaches only strengthen and embolden bandits and terrorists.

“The current reactive strategy, paying ransoms and negotiating with criminals, must end. It is time for a full-scale, coordinated military and intelligence offensive,” he said.

Buratai called on the Federal Government to establish a unified security command with direct authority over all security agencies operating in states facing severe security threats, saying such a structure would improve coordination and eliminate bureaucratic delays.

“The Federal Government should establish a unified command with direct authority over all security agencies operating in high-risk states, eliminating bureaucratic delays,” he advised.

He further urged authorities to target the networks that sustain criminal activities, including illegal miners, ransom negotiators, corrupt middlemen and local collaborators who provide logistical support to armed groups.

“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,” Buratai said.

The retired military officer stressed that only a comprehensive national response involving the military, intelligence agencies and law enforcement institutions can halt the worsening security situation and restore public confidence.

He warned that failure to act decisively could further embolden criminal groups and deepen the threat posed to both citizens and political leaders across the country.