By Kingston Magare 4-6-2025
There would be no immediate relief for Nigerians who are groaning about incessant killings and kidnappings daily by criminal gangs.
Just as President Bola Tinubu seem to be fumbling on how to end the carnage in various parts of the country, former Chief of Army Staff General Tukur Buratai rtd, said Nigerians can expect some improvement in the situation by 2027 when President Tinubu is due for reelection.
“I foresee much improvement in the next two years of President Bola Tinubu; lessons have been learnt. Insecurity is not something you wish away overnight,” said General Buratai in an interview with journalists at the sidelines of the 2025 VON Forum on Tuesday in Abuja.
“It will not disappear, just like other forms of crimes like rape, armed robbery, pickpockets and others. These are societal ills that will continue to exist as long as human beings exist.
“So, insecurity is something you continue to handle as they arise. I believe that members of the armed forces and other security agencies, including the police, have taken lessons from the recent challenges.
“I believe they will rise up to the occasion and deal with it, but also, there should be a collaboration of all stakeholders, from federal agencies to the state and local governments, to ensure improved security.”
Meanwhile Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said Nigerian needs to fence its borders to check insecurity citing Pakistan’s 1,350 km (839 miles) fence with Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia’s 1,400 km barrier with Iraq as successful precedents.
“Other countries, because of the level of insecurity they have, had to fence their borders,” he said.
“It is Nigeria that everybody is interested in. That is why we need to secure fully and take control of our borders,” he said. “It is critical for our survival and sovereignty.”
