Insecurity: ‘Not to score cheap political points’ – Hayatu-Deen laments killings, economic crisis

Former African Democratic Congress, ADC presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s escalating security crisis following the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar in the custody of his abductors.

Recall that General Rabe Abubakar, a distinguished military officer who served Nigeria with honour for decades, was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State. His death comes amid a disturbing wave of insecurity across the country.

In a statement on Monday, Hayatu-Deen noted that 27 days after the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire, Oyo State, the victims remain in captivity.

He also cited recent attacks in Kogi State, where bandits killed a vice principal, a six-year-old child and another resident during a WAEC examination; the terrorist attack on Kautikari village near Chibok in Borno State; the earlier abduction of more than 40 students in Askira-Uba and the killing of an officer and six soldiers in Kaduna State.
While mourning General Abubakar, members of the armed forces who have lost their lives and all victims of terrorism and banditry, he stressed that condolences alone are no longer sufficient.

Hayatu-Deen pointed to Nigeria’s rise to fourth place on the Global Terrorism Index and the reported 46 per cent increase in terrorism-related deaths as evidence of the growing threat.
“This is not a partisan statement. I have no interest in scoring political points off the graves of our soldiers or the suffering of our children. I speak as a concerned private citizen,” he said.

According to Hayatu-Deen, Nigeria’s security challenges are closely linked to economic hardship, with poverty, unemployment and rising living costs creating fertile ground for criminal recruitment.

He therefore called on federal and state governments to prioritize social welfare measures, support businesses struggling with economic pressures, provide targeted assistance to farmers affected by insecurity and strengthen safety nets for vulnerable families and communities.

He welcomed the House of Representatives’ passage of the constitutional amendment establishing state police and urged the Senate to expedite its consideration.

While acknowledging that state police is not a cure-all, he described it as an important step toward strengthening local security, provided safeguards are put in place to prevent abuse, corruption and political interference.

Hayatu-Deen also advocated stronger community policing, improved intelligence gathering, the revitalization of the Multinational Joint Task Force and enhanced security cooperation with neighbouring countries to tackle cross-border terrorism.

In addition, he called for greater support for the military through aggressive recruitment, improved welfare and remuneration, better care for families of fallen personnel, modern equipment and training and stronger partnerships with international allies.

He commended the armed forces for recent successes, including the rescue of 360 women and children from a terrorist camp in Borno State, but warned that much more must be done to prevent the country’s gradual slide into lawlessness.

Hayatu-Deen concluded by urging Nigerians and government at all levels to adopt a “whole-of-society” approach to combating insecurity and poverty, stressing that national unity and collective action are essential to restoring peace and stability.