Jun 15, 2026

Segun Sowunmi Decries Poor Handling of Nigeria’s Insecurity

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Abuja, Nigeria – June 15, 2026 — Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and political communicator, Segun Sowunmi, has criticised the Nigerian government and stakeholders for failing to treat the country’s insecurity challenges with the seriousness they deserve.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Day Break programme on Monday, Sowunmi said the ongoing violent attacks by bandits and other criminal elements have not elicited the level of urgency and coordinated response required from both government and the public.

“We are dealing with individuals involved in violent attacks, but the situation has not been treated with the seriousness it deserves,” Sowunmi stated.

“Governors in affected areas have not shown enough urgency, and local governments have also fallen short in their response.

Even public reaction has not reflected the level of outrage expected, especially after the loss of a senior military officer. Overall, the national response does not match the gravity of the situation.”

Context of the Remarks

Sowunmi’s comments come in the wake of the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, who died while in the captivity of bandits in Katsina State.

The retired general was abducted on May 30, 2026, while travelling with his wife and driver in Matazu Local Government Area of the state.

According to reports, the Katsina State Government confirmed that he died from complications arising from diabetes and hypertension while in captivity.

His body was later released by the bandits and buried in Katsina amid widespread mourning. President Bola Tinubu had described the incident as a “defining moment” in the fight against banditry and vowed that the government would not negotiate with terrorists.

Growing Frustration Over Security Failures

Sowunmi argued that despite repeated assurances from the government about ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity, ordinary Nigerians continue to suffer daily hardships, including restrictions on movement and loss of lives and property.

He noted that the country appears to be moving on as if nothing significant has happened, even after high-profile incidents involving senior military officers.

The PDP chieftain’s remarks reflect growing public and political frustration over the persistent banditry and kidnapping crisis in the Northwest and other parts of the country.

Critics have repeatedly accused both federal and state governments of lacking a coherent and aggressive strategy to address the root causes of insecurity.

Sowunmi’s intervention adds to calls from various quarters for a more decisive, multi-pronged approach that goes beyond military operations to include intelligence gathering, community engagement, and addressing socio-economic factors fuelling criminality.

The development comes as security agencies continue operations in affected regions, with renewed pressure on the government to demonstrate tangible results in protecting lives and restoring stability across the country.