Nigeria’s worsening security crisis has come under fresh scrutiny as former member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Usman Bugaje, launched a scathing attack on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing it of failing in one of its most fundamental constitutional obligations—protecting the lives and property of citizens.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme, Bugaje argued that despite nearly completing its first term in office, the administration has been unable to stem the tide of kidnappings, banditry, killings and violent attacks that continue to affect communities across the country.
According to him, insecurity has reached a level where many Nigerians no longer feel protected by the state, while criminal groups appear increasingly emboldened by the inability of authorities to decisively confront them.
Bugaje said the security situation should compel the government to admit its shortcomings and account to citizens for what he described as a failure to deliver on a primary constitutional responsibility.
He questioned the administration’s ambition for a second term, arguing that any government seeking re-election must first demonstrate measurable success in safeguarding lives and securing communities.
Assessing the state of governance and national security, Bugaje maintained that insecurity remains the most urgent challenge confronting Nigeria today.
He cited reports of traditional rulers abandoning their palaces due to threats from criminal elements, increasing incidents of abduction across several states, and the inability of farmers to safely access their farmlands.
According to him, the growing vulnerability of traditional institutions is a reflection of broader weaknesses within the country’s security architecture.
He noted that reports indicating that dozens of monarchs in parts of the Southwest no longer sleep in their palaces due to fears of attack underscore the scale of the challenge facing the nation.
Bugaje argued that such developments point to a deteriorating security environment that requires urgent and decisive intervention.
The SDP leader also expressed concern over reports suggesting that Nigerians paid trillions of naira in ransom to criminal groups within a relatively short period.
According to him, such figures reveal the emergence of a dangerous criminal economy capable of rivaling state resources allocated to security operations.
Bugaje referenced reports indicating that more than ₦2 trillion may have been paid as ransom between 2023 and 2024, arguing that the implications are deeply troubling.
He contended that when criminal networks are able to generate resources comparable to, or exceeding, government security spending, it raises serious questions about the balance of power between the state and violent non-state actors.
The former lawmaker warned that sustained ransom payments not only finance criminal activities but also strengthen the operational capacity of armed groups, enabling them to acquire weapons, recruit members and expand their influence.
Bugaje further linked insecurity to Nigeria’s growing food security concerns, noting that many farmers in states such as Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto have been forced to abandon cultivation due to fears of attacks by armed groups.
According to him, the inability of farmers to access their land threatens agricultural production and could have long-term consequences for national food supply and economic stability.
He recounted reports involving prominent farmers who were kidnapped for ransom, including cases where victims allegedly paid substantial sums but were still killed by their abductors.
Such incidents, he said, demonstrate the increasing boldness of criminal groups and the apparent inability of authorities to provide effective protection.
Bugaje warned that when agricultural communities become unsafe, the consequences extend beyond local populations and affect the broader economy through reduced food production, higher prices and rural displacement.
The former federal legislator insisted that there can be no justification for what he described as poor performance in addressing insecurity.
He stressed that security remains the foremost responsibility of government and forms the foundation upon which all other aspects of governance depend.
According to him, citizens cannot fully benefit from economic reforms, infrastructure projects or social programmes if they continue to live under constant fear of violence and criminal attacks.
Bugaje argued that protecting citizens should remain the primary benchmark for evaluating the performance of any administration.
Responding to suggestions from some government officials that reports of insecurity are sometimes exaggerated for political purposes, Bugaje rejected such claims.
He described such arguments as attempts to deflect responsibility and avoid confronting the realities facing millions of Nigerians.
According to him, the scale of insecurity across various regions of the country is too visible and widespread to be dismissed as political propaganda.
He maintained that communities experiencing attacks, kidnappings and displacement understand the severity of the situation and do not require external validation of their suffering.
In some of his strongest remarks, Bugaje alleged that certain public officials and political actors maintain questionable relationships with criminal groups operating in parts of northern Nigeria.
Referencing the reported death in captivity of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar after weeks in the hands of kidnappers, Bugaje claimed there are troubling indications of interactions between some authorities and bandit leaders.
He alleged that conversations purportedly involving local government officials and criminal actors suggest a level of familiarity that warrants serious investigation.
Bugaje also cited incidents from his home state of Katsina involving community vigilante groups that reportedly apprehended armed suspects and handed them over to security agencies.
According to him, some of the youths involved later faced detention, raising concerns about how community-led security efforts are treated by authorities.
He argued that such developments could undermine public confidence and discourage local participation in efforts to combat insecurity.
The former lawmaker further referenced past allegations and public reports linking certain political figures to interactions with armed groups.
He questioned the wisdom of appointing individuals who have faced such allegations to strategic security positions, arguing that public confidence in security institutions depends on transparency, credibility and accountability.
Bugaje maintained that the persistence of banditry across parts of the country reflects not only operational challenges but also what he described as a lack of sufficient political will to confront criminal networks and those who may be enabling them.
Despite his criticisms, Bugaje emphasised the need for comprehensive and coordinated action to restore security across the country.
He called for stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced support for security agencies, greater accountability within government institutions and a renewed commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.
According to him, Nigeria possesses the resources and capacity required to defeat criminal groups, but success will depend on political courage, institutional integrity and sustained commitment from all levels of government.
As debates over governance, security and national development continue, Bugaje’s remarks add to growing public conversations about the effectiveness of current security strategies and the urgent need to restore confidence in the state’s ability to protect its citizens.
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