Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has raised concern that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity could soon extend beyond civilians and security personnel to include top government officials such as ministers, senators, and governors if urgent measures are not taken.
Buratai made the statement on Sunday while reacting to the killing of retired Major General Abubakar Rabe by suspected bandits, describing the incident as a serious warning sign for the country’s security situation.
He said the attack shows that armed criminal groups are becoming more bold and dangerous, with increasing capacity to strike high-profile targets.
According to him, if the trend continues without strong intervention, no public office holder will be safe from possible attacks.
Buratai stressed that the killing of a senior military officer reflects a disturbing shift in the level of threat facing Nigeria, noting that insecurity has continued to escalate despite repeated warnings from security experts.
He recalled that he had earlier warned in 2021 that banditry and insurgency could persist for a long time if decisive steps were not taken.
He explained that recent events show that his earlier concerns are gradually becoming reality, as armed groups continue to operate with greater coordination, intelligence, and firepower.
The former army chief also criticised the continued use of ransom payments and negotiations with criminal groups, saying such approaches only encourage further attacks.
He called for a more aggressive and coordinated military and intelligence response to address the crisis.
Buratai further proposed the creation of a unified security command structure with clear authority over all security agencies in high-risk areas, saying this would reduce delays and improve operational efficiency.
He also urged the government to go after individuals and networks that support criminal activities, including illegal mining operators, ransom intermediaries, and local collaborators.
He warned that bandit groups rely not only on weapons but also on hidden support systems that must be dismantled to weaken their operations.
Buratai concluded that only a well-coordinated national strategy can effectively curb insecurity and restore public confidence in the country’s safety.