Security consultant and public affairs analyst, Opialu Fabian, has called on President Bola Tinubu to overhaul the nation’s security framework in order to put an end to the ongoing killings in Benue, Plateau, and other parts of the country.
Fabian specifically urged the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, to resign and allow a more competent leader to take over.
Speaking during an appearance on TVC News, Fabian expressed deep concern over the recent surge in violence in Plateau, Benue, and other states, where more than a hundred people have been killed within a month.
He noted that former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma’s recent call for self-help in the face of insecurity reflects a lack of confidence in the country’s current security leadership.
Fabian added that although President Tinubu is making serious efforts—particularly through budgetary allocations—to tackle insecurity, those efforts are being hindered by some of his appointees.
According to him, the President is determined to change the situation but “these appointees have not quite done well”.
“The President gave the security agents marching orders to end insecurity, but it doesn’t work like that.
“Insecurity is in stages – this has grown to this level due to negligence of past leaders.
“If TY Danjuma is calling for self-help to end insecurity, that means he has passed a vote of no confidence on the current Minister of Defence,” he added.
The security expert emphasized that while “intelligence gathering is a critical aspect of national security, the minister’s inability to effectively gather and utilize such intelligence has contributed to the current security challenges facing the country”.
He stated that the armed forces today are “suffering from leadership issues”.
“The security architecture must be rejigged to suit the dynamics and peculiarity.
“Benue and Plateau state governments need to take a more drastic approach to addressing the root causes of insecurity, rather than just treating the symptoms.
“The governments have not done enough because they are looking at the crisis from a surface level. There is a need for a more comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying issues driving the conflict,” he stressed.
The continued activities of armed bandits, especially in Benue South, have drawn national concern.
While random attacks continue to claim lives, the spate of kidnappings has also increased.
Several travelers on their way to celebrate the Easter holiday were reportedly abducted by criminals.