By George OPARA
Ex-Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), Monday took a bold analysis of the state of insecurity ravaging the country, disclosing that the terrorists next target may be the Governors and ministers of the federal government.
He said, “When (an army) general falls into the hands of non-state actors, it signals a serious erosion of tactical deterrence. If this trend continues unchecked, the next targets may not be soldiers or civilians alone. They could include ministers, senators, and even state governors
He also raised a red alert over Nigeria’s deteriorating security architecture, warning that it could degenerate further if drastic and firm measures are not taken now.
This developed followed a statement entitled, “A frank and patriotic advice on Nigeria’s escalating security crisis,” issued on the heels of the abduction and subsequent killing of a retired, senior military officer, Major Gen. Rabe Abubakar, Gen. Buratai lamented that the slaying of the former Army Spokesperson by his abductors should serve as a warning to the authorities, stating that insecurity continues to worsen despite repeated concerns raised by security experts.
General Buratai recalled a similar warning he issued in 2021 that insurgency and banditry could continue for many years if decisive action was not taken and restated that the current reactive measures of negotiating and paying ransom to bandits and terrorists must stop amid full-scale military and intelligence offensives.
“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, adding that, “The current reactive strategy, paying ransoms and negotiating with criminals, must end. It is time for a full-scale, coordinated military and intelligence offensive,”
Spear News Nigeria recalls that the late Major-General Rabe Abubakar was on his way to his hometown when he was abducted alongside his wife, along the Katsina–Matazu Road, Katsina State on May 30, 2026 and died from what the state government described as complications arising from diabetes and hypertension during his ordeal after efforts to secure his release failed
Also, he was laid to rest at about 6:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Gidan Dawa Cemetery, located opposite his residence in Katsina metropolis, following funeral rites attended by a large crowd of mourners.
According to the former Army Chief, the current strategy of dealing with non-state actors has emboldened them to deploy comparatively better intelligence, more advanced weapons with growing confidence.
He, therefore, enjoined the government to immediately create a unified security command that would directly oversee operations in states facing serious security threats.
“The Federal Government should establish National Emergency Command with direct authority over all security agencies operating in high-risk states, eliminating bureaucratic delays,” he advised, adding that, “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.
He said that since “Insecurity is no longer a regional problem; it is a national emergency,” only a coordinated national response can prevent the security situation from deteriorating further and help restore public confidence”
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