Amaechi: Tinubu’s Govt Lacks Political Will to Curb Incessant Killings, Terrorism
•ADC to APC: Take responsibility for once
•President’s trip cancellationan exemplar of tokenism, says PDP
Chuks Okocha and Linus Aleke in Abuja
A former Governor of Rivers State and erstwhile Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, has said the government of President Bola Tinubu lacked the political will to curb incessant killings and terrorists’ attacks.
This was as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the comments made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, which blamed therecent terrorist attacks in Kebbi and Kwara States on the remarks made by the U.S. President Donald Trump, saying the government should learn to take responsibility for once.
At the same time, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)has said the announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu canceling his planned trip to South Africa and Angola, stoodas the latest and boldest example of tokenism.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted one of the leaders of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), Ismaila, popularly known as Mai Tangaran, on a four-count terrorism charge after he pleaded guilty.
However, speaking on the latest security situation in the country, Amaechi said, “It is clear that the government in power has no political will to curb the incessant killings and terrorist attacks plaguing our country today.
“The government has failed to provide adequate protection for its citizens, as evidenced by the surge in terrorist attacks and mass kidnappings in some parts of the country – challenging our national security. This failure to act decisively has sadly emboldened terrorists and eroded public trust.
“The incessant attacks on innocent citizens in Plateau; the reported attack and kidnapping of secondary schoolgirls in Kebbi; an ambush on soldiers in Borno resulting in the abduction and killing of a Brigadier General, M. Uba; the attack on a church in Kwara; and the kidnapping of a priest, Rev. Fr. Bobbo Paschal, in Kaduna –all within a week – are too much to be ignored.
“The Federal Government needs to step up its game, sharpen its response to terrorist activities, strengthen military intelligence and tactical operations, and live up to the expectations of its people.
“To Mr. President: your primary assignment is the security of lives and property. Enough of looking the other way or issuing watery statements of condemnation. Prioritising a summit or jetting out for whatever reason when Nigerians are dying can never be the trait of a good leader.
“It is time to probe wrong decisions, strategise, and make tough calls. The current situation calls for decisive leadership, stronger intelligence coordination, and accountability. We did it in Rivers State; it can be done in the country. We are prepared to help if you request help,” he stated in a statement.
ADC to APC: For Once, Take Responsibility
The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the claim by the government as amateurish deflection and shameless attempt to abdicate responsibility by the APC-led Federal Government.
ADC said it was surprised by the comments attributed to Akume, in which he blamed recent terrorist attacks in Kebbi and Kwara States on remarks made by the U.S. President Donald Trump.
‘’We find it quite appalling that the APC-led federalgovernment now claims its security failures are caused by a tweet by the President of another country.
“This is a shameful abdication of responsibility, a confirmation that the Tinubu government is overwhelmed by the security situation in the country and is clueless how to go about solving it.
‘’For years under the APC administration, Nigerians have suffered horrific massacres, mass abductions and assaults on schools and worship centers.
“This situation has worsened with each passing year, particularly under the current administration as the bandits and terrorists get more emboldened by government’s failure to respond appropriately.
‘’It is therefore disingenuous to blame one tweet for the state of insecurity in Nigeria. Those killing Nigerians did not need to be instigated by Trump, they were already actively encouraged by a government that consistently fails to act decisively to stop the carnage, a government that is, even after nearly three years in office, still celebrating its electoral victory while the country is turned to a killing field.
‘’How can a government that takes pride in its sovereignty and has any modicum of self respect blame one statement by a foreign leader for the collapse of its security system? Are we so vulnerable that a social media post from Washington can that easily turn our country upside down?
‘’If indeed Mr. Trump’s statement constitutes such a security threat, what has been the government’s evaluation of that threat and what measures have the government put in place to mitigate the potential threat that could emanate from it?
“This is what any serious government would do. It would not just wait for these opportunistic attacks to start shopping for who to blame for its incompetence.
‘’Nigerians are tired of this government’s mentality and approach to tackling this problem of insecurity. But how can a government that is incapable of accepting responsibility be trusted to find a solution?
‘’There is no doubt about this: Nigeria is under siege because of the Tinubu-led APC government’s domestic negligence and incompetence rather than President Trump’s social media post. ‘’, the spokesman of the ADC stated.
PDP: Tinubu’s Trip Cancellation an Exemplar of Tokenism
The has said the announcement by President Bola Tinubu,canceling his planned trip to South Africa and Angola, stood as the latest and boldest example of tokenism.
The party said while the decision might appear to be in sympathy with the kidnapping of the Maga schoolgirls and the escalating insecurity across the country, particularly in northern Nigeria, it remained a mere perfunctory gesture and nothing more.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said, ‘’If the APC-led Presidency disagrees with this position, then we demand that President Tinubu temporarily relocates to Kebbi State and other theatres of armed conflict in Northern Nigeria.
‘’Such a move will not only challenge the security agencies to act more decisively in ending the ongoing carnage, but will also boost the morale of the troops on the front lines.
“As President and Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must not recline in the comfort of the Presidential Villa at a time when 25 schoolgirls have been abducted and their whereabouts remain unknown. He must demonstrate leadership by leading from the front, as true leaders do in moments of grave national challenge.
‘’The recent attacks in Kwara State further support our assertion that insecurity and fear have become the daily lived experience and new reality of Nigerians across the country.
“Yet the APC-led administration continues to issue outright denials, rationalised explanations, empty assurances, and other superficial gestures such as the President’s cancelled trip,’’ the new spokesman of the PDP said.
He stressed that without further strategic actions, ‘’this trip cancellation will amount to nothing more than another media stunt aimed at currying public favour and sympathy, rather than confronting the urgent task of securing lives and property across Nigeria.
“If this were a political crisis,(like the Rivers State case), President Tinubu would have deployed all strategies and resources, within and outside the law, to find a solution.
‘’We hereby put the president and his administration on notice that Nigerians are tired of symbolic gestures such as sympathy statements and trip cancellations.
“What the nation urgently requires is decisive leadership, strategic action, and effective support for the security forces, especially those at the front lines, rather than cosmetic efforts designed to score political points.
‘’The safety of Nigerians cannot be reduced to mere theatrics. Leadership must rise above optics and deliver tangible, consistent action that restores public confidence and protects lives and property.
“This situation demands seriousness, not symbolism. The Presidency must rise to the occasion or make way for those who can.’’, he stated.
Court Convicts ISWAP Leader as DSS Intensifies Terrorism Prosecutions
The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted one of the leaders of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), Ismaila, popularly known as Mai Tangaran, on a four-count terrorism charge after he pleaded guilty.
His conviction came eight years after his trial commenced in 2017.
In a statement, the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the Department of State Services (DSS), Favour Dozie, confirmed that Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced Ismaila to 15 years’ imprisonment on the first count, and 20 years each on counts two, three and four. All sentences are to run concurrently.
Ismaila was charged under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and was found guilty of coordinating the 2012 attacks on the Police Headquarters in Bompai, Kano State, alongside assaults on other critical facilities that left several people injured.
The DSS also provided updates on ongoing terrorism prosecutions across the country.
Among the cases highlighted was that of Khalid Al-Barnawi, alleged mastermind of the 26 August 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja.
Al-Barnawi and four others were currently standing trial for their alleged involvement in the attack.
In another case, five suspects were being prosecuted in suit FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025 for their alleged role in the 5 June 2022 attack on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
The Service further announced that two internationally wanted suspects, Mahmud Muhammad Usman (also known as Mamuda) and Abubakar Abba (also known as Abu Baara), would return to court on 15 January 2026 when their trial resumes before Justice Nwite.
Additionally, the DSS was prosecuting 10 suspects arrested over deadly attacks in Benue and Plateau states, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the perpetrators be tracked down and brought to justice.
Among those scheduled for arraignment was recaptured ISWAP commander, Abdulazeez Obadaki, known as Bomboy, who has reportedly confessed to masterminding both the Owo church attack and an earlier attack on the Deeper Life Church in Okene.
Also due to face trial is Musa Abubakar, described as a major manufacturer and supplier of arms and ammunition, arrested in Plateau State.
The DSS disclosed that on 19 November, it filed terrorism charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja against nine key commanders of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) linked to Finland-based agitator Simon Ekpa.
The suspects were charged in five separate suits for allegedly receiving funds and other material support from Ekpa and other foreign-based IPOB members.
One of the accused, identified as an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Niger, was charged with terrorism financing.
According to the DSS, he operated an unlicensed Bureau de Change and allegedly facilitated the movement of large sums of money to support IPOB operations in the South-East.
The Service said the accused persons include IPOB commanders, arms couriers, Eastern Security Network (ESN) fighters and foot soldiers who were allegedly funded and directed by Ekpa, who himself was recently convicted of terror-related offences and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in Finland.
The DSS added that its Director-General, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, upon assuming office in August 2024, ordered a full review of all inherited terrorism cases and directed that forensic investigations be strengthened to ensure diligent and effective prosecution in accordance with Nigerian law.
