Amaechi: FG lacks political will to address rising killings, kidnappings

Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Rivers, says the federal government has failed to show political will in addressing the rising wave of killings, kidnappings and terrorist attacks across the country.

In a Facebook post, Amaechi, the immediate past minister of transportation, said the frequency and scale of recent assaults have weakened public trust in the government and emboldened terror groups.

He said the attacks on communities in Plateau, the abduction of secondary schoolgirls in Kebbi, the ambush of soldiers in Borno, which led to the killing of M. Uba, a brigadier general, the attack on a church in Kwara, and the kidnapping of Bobbo Paschal, a Catholic reverend father, in Kaduna, all within a week, were “too much to be ignored”.

“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,” Amaechi said.

“This failure to act decisively has sadly emboldened terrorists and eroded public trust.”

Amaechi said President Bola Tinubu must prioritise the security of lives and property, adding that the situation requires urgent and decisive action.

“To Mr President: your primary assignment is the security of lives and property,” he said.

“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.”

He said the government must “probe wrong decisions, strategise and make tough calls”, strengthen military intelligence, and sharpen response to terrorist activities.

“We did it in Rivers state; it can be done in the country. We are prepared to help if you request help,” the former minister said.

On Wednesday, George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), said recent statements by US President Donald Trump concerning the security situation in Nigeria have emboldened violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives to launch fresh attacks across the country.

Trump recently tagged Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and accused the federal government of turning a blind eye to attacks on Christians.