Buratai Links Rising Insecurity to Political Interests, Calls for Reforms

Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has alleged that political interests play a significant role in sustaining insecurity in Nigeria, claiming that some politicians benefit from terrorist and bandit activities.

Speaking on TVC News, Buratai said criminal groups often gain strength from political sponsorship and tend to intensify attacks during election cycles and periods of political transition.

The retired Army chief made the remarks while commenting on the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State.

According to him, some politicians initially recruited criminal elements for political purposes, but those groups later evolved into organised terrorist and bandit networks.

“Unfortunately, the plain truth is that some politicians benefit from the activities of these terrorists,” Buratai alleged.

He argued that insecurity frequently worsens during transitions between administrations due to disruptions in security operations, funding delays and adjustments in government priorities.

Buratai noted that insurgent groups appear to follow a recurring pattern of escalating attacks whenever political activities increase or a new administration takes office.

“You discover that these terrorists or insurgents have a particular pattern, mainly when there are political activities or when there are transitions from one administration to the other,” he said.

The former military commander explained that operational gaps created during political transitions can provide opportunities for criminal groups to exploit weaknesses in the security system.

On the recent school abduction in Oyo State, Buratai stressed that rescue operations must be handled with caution to avoid putting hostages at greater risk.

He described hostage recovery missions as highly sensitive operations requiring intelligence-driven planning and patience rather than impulsive military action.

While noting that security agencies possess capabilities for intelligence gathering and communication tracking, he insisted that the protection of abducted victims must remain paramount.

Buratai also renewed his opposition to ransom payments, warning that they strengthen criminal networks and encourage future kidnappings.

“Paying ransom is very counter-productive,” he stated.

To improve security nationwide, he proposed the decentralisation of counter-terrorism efforts through state-level branches of the National Security Adviser’s Counter-Terrorism Centre supported by modern surveillance systems.

He further called for increased recruitment into the military and police, improved training and better welfare packages for personnel.

The former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic urged the Federal Government to deepen engagement with communities affected by insecurity through regular visits and sustained communication.

According to him, military operations alone cannot end terrorism and banditry without political commitment, stronger intelligence systems and decisive action against individuals who profit from insecurity.

Buratai maintained that sustainable peace will require political actors to stop exploiting violence for personal gain while governments at all levels work with local communities to address the underlying causes of insecurity.

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