Atiku Blasts Tinubu’s Security Strategy, Says Terrorists Are Learning Faster Than Government
Former Vice President calls for urgent overhaul of Nigeria’s counterterrorism framework, warns the nation is repeating costly mistakes while insecurity spreads.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over its handling of insecurity, arguing that terrorists and criminal groups are evolving faster than the country’s security architecture. He called for sweeping reforms, including a review of Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy and the establishment of regional intelligence fusion centres.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a fresh attack on the Federal Government’s security strategy, warning that terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers are adapting and improving their tactics while Nigeria’s response remains largely unchanged.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the continued spread of terrorism and violent crime across the country is evidence that the nation’s security framework is struggling to keep pace with emerging threats.
In a statement issued on Thursday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president argued that criminal groups have consistently demonstrated their ability to learn from previous operations while government institutions appear unable to do the same.
“The terrorists are learning from every attack. They study their successes and failures. They refine their tactics. They identify vulnerabilities. They adapt and strike again. The question Nigerians must ask is simple: Why isn’t the government doing the same?” Atiku said.
‘Nigeria Is Trapped in a Dangerous Cycle’
Atiku lamented what he described as a recurring pattern following major security breaches across the country.
According to him, attacks are followed by public outrage, official promises, and committee formations, only for similar incidents to occur again.
“From Chibok to Oyo, from countless villages in the North-West to communities across the Middle Belt and beyond, the pattern has become tragically familiar. A nation that refuses to learn from its tragedies is condemned to relive them,” he stated.
The former vice president said Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts have relied too heavily on externally influenced models without adequately incorporating lessons from communities that have directly experienced terrorist violence.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to immediately review and modernise the National Counterterrorism Policy.
He argued that the new framework should be built around Nigeria’s unique security realities and informed by experiences from affected communities.
One of his major proposals is the establishment of a Terrorism Violence Peer Review Mechanism, which would bring together community leaders, security agencies, victims, and stakeholders to assess previous attacks, document lessons learned, and improve future responses.
He also proposed the creation of Counterterrorism Fusion Centres in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to enhance intelligence sharing among the military, police, DSS, NSCDC, immigration authorities, customs officials, vigilante groups, and local communities.
‘Security Is More Than Military Operations’
Atiku stressed that defeating terrorism requires more than military force.
While supporting continued security operations, he argued that authorities must focus on dismantling the financial networks sustaining terrorist groups.
“The battle against terrorism cannot be won solely through military deployments. We must identify and dismantle the networks that fund, equip, transport and shelter these criminal elements,” he said.
He further called for increased investment in surveillance technology, aerial reconnaissance systems, communication interception capabilities, intelligence gathering, and data-driven threat analysis.
The former vice president also highlighted Nigeria’s porous borders as a major security concern, warning that they continue to facilitate the movement of terrorists, weapons, and transnational criminal networks.
According to him, local communities should be integrated into national security efforts through structured intelligence programmes supported by incentives, trust-building initiatives, and witness protection mechanisms.
Addressing Root Causes of Insecurity
Beyond military and intelligence reforms, Atiku argued that long-term security cannot be achieved without tackling poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, and underdevelopment.
He said terrorism thrives in environments where citizens feel neglected and excluded from economic opportunities.
To address these challenges, he called for greater investment in education, youth empowerment, rural development programmes, and rehabilitation initiatives for vulnerable communities.
Support for Victims
Atiku also proposed the establishment of a National Victims and Survivors Support Framework to assist individuals and communities affected by terrorism.
The framework, he said, should provide psychological support, educational assistance for displaced children, economic recovery programmes, and rehabilitation services for victims.
The ADC presidential candidate further criticised what he described as a lack of transparency in the funding of counterterrorism operations.
He noted that despite trillions of naira allocated to defence and security over the years, many Nigerians continue to feel increasingly unsafe.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to immediately set up a high-level technical committee to review the country’s counterterrorism strategy and implement practical reforms capable of strengthening national security.
