Insecurity: SDP’s Adebayo questions FG strategy, says bandits strike and vanish

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of rising insecurity, warning that Nigeria is “sleepwalking into the next tragedy” as violence continues to spread.

Reacting to the reported deployment of the Nigerian Army to Kwara State following fresh attacks, Adebayo, in a post on his verified X account, @Pres_Adewole, argued that the Federal Government’s approach to security remains reactive rather than strategic.

“Tinubu is not acting decisively; he is reacting,” Adebayo stated, noting that military deployments often occur after bandits have carried out attacks and fled. According to him, such delayed responses fail to deter criminals who strike swiftly and escape before security forces arrive.

The former presidential candidate questioned how many violent incidents Nigerians must endure before a proactive and preventive security strategy is adopted.

“How many attacks have we witnessed this year? How many more do we need to witness?” he asked.

He warned that unless the government changes course, the country risks experiencing further tragedies.

In his post, Adebayo wrote: “Tinubu has now deployed the army in Kwara State to respond to the violence. Herein lies the problem. Tinubu is not acting decisively; he is reacting. This does not deter bandits. They are already long gone when the army arrives. How many attacks have we witnessed this year? How many more do we need to witness? If the government continues with this strategy, the next tragedy is waiting around the corner.”

His remarks add to growing public concern over persistent insecurity in several states, despite repeated assurances from the Federal Government.