LAGOS, Nigeria: On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the former Chief of Army Staff for Nigeria, Tukur Buratai, stated that political transitions and certain politicians are responsible for rising insecurity and school abductions.
Okay News reports that Tukur Buratai made these remarks during an interview on TVC News while discussing the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State.
He alleged that politicians sponsor criminal elements for political purposes, which later evolve into terrorist groups. “Unfortunately, the plain truth is that some politicians benefit from the activities of these terrorists,” he said.
The former military chief noted that criminal activities intensify during election seasons and administrative handovers due to funding delays and operational adjustments. “You discover that these terrorists or insurgents have a particular pattern, mainly when there are political activities or when there are transitions from one administration to the other,” he said.
Addressing the kidnappings in Oyo State, he cautioned against immediate military action and stated that protecting hostages must remain the priority during rescue operations. He maintained his opposition to ransom payments. “Paying ransom is very counter-productive,” he said.
To combat insecurity, he recommended establishing state-level branches of the National Security Adviser’s Counter-Terrorism Centre equipped with modern surveillance technology. He requested increased military and police recruitment, improved training, and direct engagement by the Federal Government of Nigeria with affected communities.
