Former Department of State Services (DSS) deputy director, Dennis Amachree, has called on President Bola Tinubu to temporarily put political activities on hold and focus fully on tackling Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Amachree said the President, as Commander-in-Chief, must take decisive action to address insecurity before concentrating on electoral considerations ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, while Tinubu faces significant political pressures, the worsening security situation requires immediate attention.
“If he wants to return as President, just as Jonathan did, he should stop the political campaigns and face the security problem frontally,” Amachree said.
He argued that citizens would be reluctant to participate in elections if attacks, kidnappings and violence continue unchecked across the country.
Amachree stressed that meaningful security reform must begin with the President, adding that lawmakers would likely support stronger measures if they see clear commitment from the executive.
Criticism Over Delay In State Police Reform
The former DSS official also questioned the slow pace of reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture, particularly efforts to establish state police.
He noted that while the National Assembly has demonstrated the ability to pass legislation quickly when necessary, security-related reforms often face prolonged delays.
Amachree said the process of implementing state police should have moved faster given the country’s security challenges, including widespread kidnappings and bandit attacks.
Security Experts Raise Alarm
Also appearing on the programme, security analyst Bulama Bukarti described the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar in bandit captivity as evidence of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.
Bukarti said the killing of a retired senior military officer after weeks in captivity demonstrated that insecurity now affects all Nigerians regardless of status or background.
He noted that the retired general was abducted on a public highway in Matazu Local Government Area and that his captors openly publicised his detention and negotiated for prisoner exchanges.
According to Bukarti, criminal and terrorist groups have become increasingly bold, using such incidents to spread fear and undermine public confidence in government institutions.
He warned that insecurity, once largely associated with Nigeria’s North-East, has expanded across the North-West, North-Central and South-West, making it a nationwide challenge.
The comments come amid heightened public concern over kidnappings and violent attacks across several parts of the country, including recent abductions involving students and teachers in Oyo State.
