By John Umeh
Retired Commanders, Police Chiefs, and Security Experts Decry Lack of Political Will, Call for a National Reset
Nigeria is once again engulfed in a wave of violent kidnappings, ambushes, and targeted attacks that have plunged citizens into fear and security agencies into confusion. Over the past weeks, the country has witnessed a string of disturbing incidents — each more unsettling than the last — including the gruesome killing of Brigadier-General Musa Uba, Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade in Borno State, by ISWAP insurgents.
Within the same period, 25 schoolgirls were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, followed by the mass kidnapping of more than 200 pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s Primary School in Niger State. In the Federal Capital Territory and its surrounding communities, at least 30 more individuals have been seized by criminal gangs operating freely.
These events, happening in quick succession, have triggered a national conversation on the frightening evolution of banditry and terrorism — and the glaring weaknesses in Nigeria’s security architecture. To understand the gravity of the problem, Saturday Vanguard reached out to a broad panel of retired Generals, seasoned intelligence officers, former police chiefs, and counter-terrorism experts.
Their collective message was blunt: Nigeria’s security system has been infiltrated, sabotaged, and weakened from within — and political inaction is making the crisis worse.
“Our ranks and equipment have been infiltrated” — Retired General
One of the retired Generals, who insisted on anonymity, lamented the rising internal compromises within the security forces.
“These tragedies show that operational security has collapsed. Our ranks and equipment have been infiltrated. This is no longer speculation — the evidence is everywhere.”
According to him, terrorists and bandits are now intercepting military movement, accessing coordinates meant for internal operations, and exploiting delays in reinforcement.
He added:
“We have informants within the system. Communication channels are compromised. Some equipment is leaking information. Boko Haram and bandits cannot strike this precisely without help.”
The General stressed that these failures persist because Nigeria lacked political will for years.
“Those in authority know exactly what to do. But there was no will to stop this nonsense.”
Deep-rooted compromise and intelligence failures
Security experts believe that the insurgents’ growing ability to hit strategic targets is proof of advanced surveillance and insider leaks.
The retired General continued:
“When criminals can monitor coordinates, track troop deployment, and strike commanders, it means they have access to information they should never have.”
He outlined contributing factors:
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Unencrypted communication lines
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Spy collaborators within military formations
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Delays in reinforcement that expose troops
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Failure to upgrade surveillance tools
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Weak community trust due to past abuses
He stressed that insurgents now operate with near-military precision:
“Boko Haram is no longer a ragtag group. They are now intelligence-driven, and they exploit internal betrayals and external support networks.”
The way forward: intelligence, technology, and strategy
The General recommended a series of reforms:
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Encrypted communication and secure devices across formations
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Stricter personnel vetting to reduce insider threats
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Faster reinforcement protocols to prevent ambushes
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Deception strategies such as false coordinates and dummy operations
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Deeper collaboration with host communities
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Deployment of drones, surveillance aircraft, and real-time reconnaissance
He argued for a joint Army–Airforce operations command equipped with attack helicopters, surveillance drones, and unified control.
AANI Blames Leadership Gaps, Calls for Coordinated Action
The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) expressed strong concern, describing the escalating kidnappings as “unacceptable and destabilising.”
Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, President of AANI, issued a statement:
“These abductions sow fear and weaken national morale. We cannot continue like this. Security agencies must adopt intelligence-led strategies and work with urgency.”
AANI pledged to support government agencies with strategic insights.
Security Stakeholders: “Stop Scratching the Surface — Go After the Sponsors”
Security experts nationwide insist Nigeria must look beyond gunmen in the forest and confront the powerful individuals financing criminal groups.
“Sponsors are in government” — Chief Anab Sara-Igbe
The former adviser to the Rivers State government said:
“Many sponsors of terrorism and kidnapping are influential people — some of them sitting in government offices. Until they are arrested, nothing will change.”
He identified two types of terrorism affecting Nigeria:
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International terrorism: foreign actors exploiting Nigeria’s natural resources.
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Political terrorism: politicians fueling chaos ahead of 2027.
He urged the government to deploy private security intelligence teams:
“The military alone cannot handle this. We need credible private intelligence firms working hand-in-hand with state forces.”
“Rejig the Mobile Police Force Immediately” — Retired AIG
A retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police argued that Nigeria’s disjointed security structure is partly responsible for the chaos.
“Too many agencies are interfering with one another. We must streamline command structures.”
He emphasized that well-equipped Mobile Police units could change the tide within weeks.
“Nigeria Can Still Be Saved” — Retired Military Strategists Offer Roadmap
Retired Major Rasaq Salawu offered a holistic blueprint for rescuing Nigeria, stressing that military action alone is insufficient.
His rescue strategy includes:
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Modernising Nigeria’s outdated security architecture
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Data-driven and intelligence-led operations
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Police reform and decentralisation
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Addressing poverty, unemployment, and corruption
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Empowering traditional institutions and community leaders
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Strengthening border surveillance
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Ensuring political leaders prioritise national unity
He warned:
“Without political will, nothing else will work.”
“Government must listen” — Gen. Ikponmwen
The former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army lamented:
“It is frustrating advising a government that refuses to act. Without political courage to uphold the constitution, insecurity will worsen.”
“Restructure policing immediately” — Former IGP Ehindero
Ehindero described Nigeria’s internal security structure as faulty and reactive. He demanded:
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More manpower
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Improved welfare
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Better equipment
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Community policing
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Responsible implementation of state police
He reiterated:
“Banditry will not stop until policing becomes local and intelligence becomes proactive.”
Other Experts Stress Technology, Justice, and Accountability
Retired officers and security analysts further recommended:
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Use of advanced surveillance tools
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Blocking terrorists’ financial networks
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Ending the reintegration of “repentant terrorists”
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Engaging credible private intelligence organizations
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Hiring retired officers on short-term contracts
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Comprehensive national security conference
One expert bluntly stated:
“We need America’s military involvement. Nigeria no longer has the capacity to fight this alone.”
A Nation in Need of Courage, Leadership, and Truth
From all accounts, Nigeria’s insecurity crisis is not merely a failure of weapons or manpower — it is a failure of political will, intelligence coordination, and leadership accountability.
The retired generals agree on one thing:
“Nigeria can be rescued — but only if the government is ready to confront the real enemies, including those within the system.”
Until then, ordinary Nigerians remain at the mercy of violent groups who have become bolder, richer, and more coordinated than ever.
