Amaechi says FG lacks political will to tackle nationwide insecurity

Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi says the federal government has failed to demonstrate the political will needed to curb the surge in killings, kidnappings and terrorist attacks across the country.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Amaechi — who also served as minister of transportation — said the frequency of recent attacks has eroded public confidence and emboldened armed groups. He cited the killings in Plateau State, the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi, the ambush in Borno that left Brig. Gen. Musa Uba dead, an attack on a church in Kwara, and the kidnapping of Catholic priest Bobbo Paschal in Kaduna — all within a week.

“The government has failed to provide adequate protection for its citizens,” he wrote, adding that the lack of decisive action “has sadly emboldened terrorists and eroded public trust.”

Amaechi urged President Bola Tinubu to make security a top priority. “Your primary assignment is the security of lives and property,” he said. “Enough of looking the other way or issuing watery statements of condemnation.”

He called for stronger military intelligence, better response capabilities, and a readiness to “probe wrong decisions, strategise and make tough calls.” Amaechi said his experience in Rivers State shows such improvements are possible and offered to assist “if you request help.”

His comments came a day after Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume warned that recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about insecurity in Nigeria have emboldened violent groups. Trump had accused the federal government of overlooking attacks on Christians and labelled Nigeria a “country of particular concern.”