FG missed the point —  Baba Ahmed faults Tinubu’s security emergency

The Labour Partys 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has criticized President Bola Tinubus recent nationwide security emergency declaration, arguing that the Federal Governments strategy overlooks the core issues fuelling insecurity. Speaking on Arise News, Baba-Ahmed claimed the administration had missed the point by focusing on massive recruitment into security agencies instead of directly addressing entrenched corruption within the system. President Tinubu had declared the security emergency following rising cases of banditry, kidnappings, and rural attacks. He also directed the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force to recruit thousands of additional personnel, including a fresh intake of 20,000 police officers, to strengthen counter-terrorism and public safety efforts. However, Baba-Ahmed dismissed the emphasis on increasing manpower as misguided. According to him, Nigerias insecurity persists not due to personnel shortages, but because corruption and political interference consistently undermine security operations and weaken state institutions. Its not about increasing personnel. The real issue is corruption within the security architecture. How much of the security budget is actually used to fight insecurity? How much ends up in private pockets or for political purposes? That is the problem, he stated. He further argued that a reformed and fully empowered police force could tackle banditry and terrorism without the heavy reliance on the military. If you remove corruption and political interests, the Nigerian police can wipe out insecurity in two months, he asserted. Baba-Ahmed also faulted Tinubus advisory urging state governments to reconsider building boarding schools in remote or poorly secured areas. The President had issued the warning after recent mass abductions of students and teachers in several states. Describing the directive as dangerous, Baba-Ahmed argued that restricting rural school development would embolden criminals and hinder national growth. Discouraging education in vulnerable communities is wrong. We should be expanding access, not reducing it, he said, adding that educators already operate under enormous pressure in high-risk areas.These comments come amid growing national anxiety over escalating attacks, renewed mass kidnappings, and the broader direction of the governments security strategy. The post FG missed the point Baba Ahmed faults Tinubus security emergency appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.