Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, has asked President Bola Tinubu to take strong action against Nigeria’s rising insecurity.
Amaechi chastised the Federal Government for a lack of political will to combat deaths, terrorist attacks, and mass kidnappings throughout the country.
In a message made on his X Twitter on Wednesday, the former minister of transportation from 2015 to 2022 stated that the failure to protect individuals has empowered terrorists and undermined public faith.
“The government has failed to provide adequate protection for its citizens, as evidenced by the surge in terrorist attacks and mass kidnappings in some parts of the country, challenging our national security.
“This failure to act decisively has sadly emboldened terrorists and eroded public trust,” he said.
Amaechi listed a series of violent incidents within a single week, including attacks on citizens in Plateau State, saying, “the reported attack and kidnapping of secondary schoolgirls in Kebbi; an ambush on soldiers in Borno resulting in the abduction and killing of a Brigadier General, M. Uba; the attack on a church in Kwara; and the kidnapping of a priest, Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, in Kaduna.”
The former Rivers governor called on the government to strengthen military intelligence, sharpen tactical operations, and ensure the security of lives and property.
“To Mr. President, your primary assignment is the security of lives and property. Enough of looking the other way or issuing watery statements of condemnation.
“Prioritizing a summit or jetting out for whatever reason when Nigerians are dying can never be the trait of a good leader.
“It is time to probe wrong decisions, strategize, and make tough calls,” he said.
He also stated that decisive leadership, better intelligence coordination, and accountability are critical to tackling the current insecurity.
“We did it in Rivers State; it can be done in the country. We are prepared to help if you request help,” Amaechi said.
The criticism comes amid a wave of violence that has drawn both local and international condemnation.
Gunmen stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi state, early Monday, abducting 25 girls and killing at least one staff member.
Suspected bandits also staged two separate evening assaults in Eruku, Kwara State’s Ekiti Local Government Area, on Tuesday.
Gunmen invaded the Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku branch, during a special service, shooting intermittently and aiming at parishioners.
According to reports, three worshippers were slaughtered on the scene, while the pastor and an indeterminate number of congregants were abducted into the jungle.
On Friday, gunmen from the Islamic State West Africa Province assaulted soldiers in Borno, killing four, including Brigadier General Musa Uba, who had been reported missing.
President Tinubu confirmed Uba’s death on Wednesday while condemning the attack and kidnapping in Kebbi state.
