Tinubu Urged to Overhaul Security Architecture Amid Attacks

The Afenifere socio‑political group has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently reform Nigeria’s security architecture in response to recent attacks in Kwara and Kebbi states. According to Jare Ajayi, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, the pattern of assaults suggests a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the government. He noted that the scale of insecurity warrants a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s security framework and warned that sabotage, high‑level complicity and insider collaboration cannot be ruled out given the sophistication of the attacks.

Ajayi highlighted the complexity of these operations, indicating careful planning by individuals with expertise in military and intelligence affairs. Afenifere condemned the attack on a church in Kwara and the killing of rice farmers in Edu Local Government Area, and it is seeking a thorough investigation into the utilization of the N6.57 trillion allocated for defence in the 2025 budget. The group argues that rising violence contradicts claims of adequate funding.

To address the security challenges, Ajayi advised implementing the National Counter‑Terrorism Strategy and strictly enforcing the Terrorism Prevention Act. He also recommended intensified internal surveillance by the DSS and military intelligence, as well as security scrutiny of illegal mining sites nationwide. Furthermore, he suggested that serving military officers focus on defence duties while retired veterans could be deployed to alleviate personnel shortages.

The group emphasized the need to establish state police immediately, with constitutional processes fast‑tracked. Regular capacity‑building for security operatives and audits of defence expenditure by anti‑graft agencies were also recommended. Ajayi cautioned politicians against exploiting insecurity for political gain and stressed the importance of addressing socio‑economic pressures that contribute to banditry. He proposed community‑based peacebuilding as a means to curb complicity and sabotage.

The call for security reform comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, highlighting the need for effective measures to restore public confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens. As the situation unfolds, the government is expected to take decisive action to address the challenges and ensure the safety of Nigerians.