Weekend Trust Page 3 Comment, June 20, 2026
The death of Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd) in the hands of terrorists in Katsina State in addition to the death of other top military operatives; the mass abduction of poor people and school children across the country and most importantly, the siege on the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, among other heart-rending security breaches, should serve as a clarion call for introspection.
Nigeria today stands at a dangerous crossroads because from every part of the country, there is a troubling signal of a nation under severe strain occasioned by rising insecurity, deepening poverty, weakening institutions and growing public despair.
Across the North West, North East and North Central, soldiers and police operatives continue to lose their lives in the line of duty. Parents spend sleepless nights worrying about the safety of their children. Schoolchildren and teachers remain vulnerable to abductions, as demonstrated by recent incidents in Oyo State and repeated attacks in Borno and other states. These tragedies should serve as a wake-up call to government at all levels.
At such a moment, government cannot afford to operate on auto-pilot or dismiss genuine concerns as mere politics. The country requires leadership that listens, acts decisively and restores public confidence.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must heed the wise counsel coming from prominent Nigerians and pay attention to the cries of ordinary citizens. Patriotism does not consist in endless praise-singing; it lies in speaking uncomfortable truths when the nation is in distress.
It is, therefore, significant that respected elder statesmen and public intellectuals have raised the alarm. Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega; former Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Chairman of Media Trust Group, Malam Kabiru Yusuf; Dr Husseini Abdu; Dr Usman Bugaje; Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim; and former Nigerian Bar Association President, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud (SAN), among others, recently warned that Nigeria is at a “dangerous crossroads.”
Their concerns deserve serious attention, not dismissal. They warned of rising insecurity, electoral manipulation and the weakening of democratic institutions. They expressed fears over the erosion of the separation of powers and declining public trust in governance. Whether one agrees with every aspect of their assessment is secondary; these are eminent Nigerians whose patriotism and contributions to nation-building are beyond dispute.
Similarly retired military officers and associates of late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd) have called for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture.
At a press conference in Kaduna addressed by Brigadier General Isma’ila Abdullahi (rtd), who spoke on behalf of colleagues, friends, and associates of the deceased officer, he said the incident was a tragic reminder of the growing insecurity across the country.
Other prominent attendees included Brigadier General Abubakar Abdulqadir (rtd), Brigadier General M.I. Tsiga (rtd), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), Ambassador Ibrahim Usman Gafai, and Ambassador Ahmed Muhammad Musawa.
Also, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives recently expressed concern that there are indications politics has taken precedence over security and governance. The lawmakers called for urgent measures to tackle insecurity and economic hardship.
These sentiments, coming from eminent personalities resonate with many Nigerians.
One of the greatest tragedies for any nation is the absence of voices willing to speak truth to power.
No matter how some may choose to describe it, Nigeria increasingly resembles a country at war.
Unfortunately, instead of confronting the challenge head-on, some government officials and supporters have often sought to politicise insecurity by attributing criticism to opponents. Such responses do little to reassure Nigerians. Equally troubling is the tendency to attribute failures in the security architecture to divine will. While faith remains central to national life, governance demands responsibility, accountability and action.
The desperation of local communities further illustrates the gravity of the crisis. In some areas, citizens now reportedly pay taxes to criminals or negotiate with terrorists and bandits simply to secure peace and access their farmlands. This is an indictment of the state’s inability to perform its most sacred duty: protecting lives and property.
Over the years, Nigeria has experimented with kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, amnesty programmes, dialogue initiatives and military offensives. Yet insecurity persists and, in some regions, worsens. What is urgently needed is not more theories but results.
Security challenges are compounded by economic hardship. Governance failures have put Nigerians on edge. Inflation remains high, unemployment persists, and poverty continues to deepen. A functioning economy would reduce desperation and limit the pool of recruits available to criminal networks. Government must work for the people so that citizens regain confidence in the system and believe that tomorrow will indeed be better than today.
At present, however, there appears to be a growing deficit of leadership.
The unfortunate reality is that virtually every major indicator points in the wrong direction. Yet politicians are already consumed by conversations about the 2027 elections. Statements suggesting that President Tinubu is being sabotaged or that insecurity is politically motivated may deepen divisions rather than foster solutions. If indeed there are individuals undermining government efforts, the state possesses the institutions to investigate and address such threats. Nigerians expect governance, not endless political recriminations.
Nigeria does not lack talent, resources or resilient people. What it urgently requires is leadership that listens, inspires trust and delivers results. The country cannot continue on auto-pilot while insecurity spreads, poverty deepens and institutions weaken.