The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the recruitment of about 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State, describing it as a demonstration of “poor leadership” and a reactive approach to governance and security.

Obi stated this in a statement posted on his X handle on Friday, titled What Our Pervasive Insecurity Requires: A Holistic Not Reactive Approach.

The former Anambra state governor said the decision reflects what he described as the Federal Government’s tendency to address critical issues without adequate planning.

“In a hasty effort to be perceived as attentive and courageous, it is reported that President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of about 1000 forest guards for Oyo State. This is a further demonstration of poor leadership and attending to very serious governance and security issues with a reactive approach,” he said.

He added that the approach was similar, in his view, to the policies that followed the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, which he said had caused “irreparable damage to ordinary Nigerians and the economy.”

Recall that Tinubu approved the recruitment following recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

While acknowledging the need for more security personnel, Obi questioned the sustainability and consistency of such measures.

“Presently, almost all the 36 states in Nigeria are experiencing different forms of insecurity, with Oyo, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Borno, Katsina, Anambra, Niger, Imo, and Sokoto being very alarming,” he noted.

Obi questioned whether similar approvals would be extended to all states.

“The question, such as the reactive approach of our President, is whether all the states will receive the same approval to recruit 1000 forest guards per state, that is 37,000 forest guards for the 36 states and Abuja, or is the recruitment approval based on the mood of the President?” he asked.

He also queried the possible implications for existing regional security outfits.

“Moreover, with the approval for Oyo, what will happen to the Amotekun Corps that is trying its best to secure South-West Nigeria? Will they be disbanded in Oyo State?” he said.

Obi further stated that insecurity in Nigeria reflects what he described as systemic leadership failure, noting that over 10,000 Nigerians had reportedly been killed since 2023, while Nigeria remains among the world’s most terror-affected countries.

He said addressing insecurity requires a holistic or ecosystem-based approach.

“Addressing our insecurity situation requires a holistic or what can be described as an ecosystem approach.

“With failure in leadership, there is failure in unifying our dear nation, failure in industrialisation, failure in harnessing our abundant resources in agriculture, minerals, tourism, water, sports and even oil and gas to effectively generate required revenue, growth and particularly jobs for our exponentially growing youth population,” Obi said.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has cautioned against politicising the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, urging security agencies to focus on rescuing victims and addressing the country’s security challenges.

Falana made the remarks on Friday when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Reacting to comments by some political figures over the incident, Falana criticised attempts to attribute the abduction to political opponents without providing evidence.

He said a minister and a former governor “are currently inciting people in Oyo State by politicising the tragedy of our people.

“How can anybody in their right sense say, ‘I know it was a state government that kidnapped the children’? Please, if you know this, go to the police, go to the State Security Service and lodge a complaint,” he said.

The senior lawyer questioned why those making such allegations had failed to report them to the authorities.

“Somebody says, ‘I know the politicians [who] are responsible.’ Why have you not reported them? Because the parents of those children who were kidnapped are listening to these statements,” Falana added.

The senior lawyer also called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the welfare and operational capacity of security agencies.

“Equip the armed forces, motivate the armed forces, equip the police force, and motivate the operatives working in the security sector,” he urged.

Falana’s remarks come amid growing concerns over mass kidnappings in some parts of the country.

The abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from schools in Oyo State on May 15, as well as the kidnapping of 42 pupils in Borno State the same day, have drawn national outrage.

About three weeks since the abduction, the victims have yet to regain their freedom.

The attacks have sparked outrage, protests by teachers, and intensified security efforts by the federal and state governments to secure the victims’ release.

Discussions have intensified over the proposed establishment of state police across the country in the wake of the abductions.

On Thursday, the Presidency announced progress towards creating the constitutional framework required to decentralise policing, following months of consultations involving the Presidency, the National Assembly, and security agencies

However, Falana expressed reservations about the push for state police, arguing that authorities should first address the challenges affecting existing security institutions.

“These guys are only interested in creating agencies without funding them to work. We do not have a federal government police; we have a federal police. That is why it is called the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.

According to him, the Nigerian Police Council, constitutionally responsible for administering and supervising the police, has been largely inactive despite including all 36 state governors as members.

“The governors since 1999 have always abdicated their constitutional duty to the president. So the President alone administers, supervises and organises the Nigeria Police Force, contrary to the provisions of the Constitution,” Falana stated.

He noted that many states already operate local security outfits such as the Amotekun Corps, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and the Civilian Joint Task Force in Borno State.

“We already have state police. What is missing is proper support, coordination, and access to equipment,” he argued.

Falana questioned how a new state police structure would be funded, stressing that existing security personnel are often inadequately equipped to confront heavily armed criminal groups.

“How can you ask security personnel to go to the forest and confront criminals armed with AK-47 rifles? The Amotekun operatives and others are only allowed to carry locally made weapons,” he said.

Five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were killed after troops of Operation HADIN KAI repelled a terrorist attack on a military base in Borno State.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, said troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau, under the 25 Brigade of Sector 2, thwarted the attack despite heavy rainfall and poor visibility.

According to the military, the terrorists launched the attack at about 3:00 a.m., taking advantage of adverse weather conditions in an attempt to breach sections of the base.

Lieutenant Colonel Sani said the troops responded swiftly with a “fierce counter-offensive” that prevented the attackers from making further incursions and inflicted casualties on them.

He stated that the successful defence of the base demonstrated the resilience, courage, and determination of troops operating in the North-East theatre.

“Determined troops responded with a fierce counter-offensive, decisively frustrating further incursions and inflicting casualties on the attackers. The counter-assault underscores the resilience of the troops at FOB Mandaragirau and reflects the courage and determination of our troops across the theatre,” the statement read.

The military, however, confirmed that five soldiers lost their lives during the intense firefight and close-quarter combat, while some military equipment was damaged.

“Regrettably, in the course of the battle, five gallant soldiers paid the supreme price during the intense firefight and close-quarter engagement, while some equipment was also affected by the firefight.

“Their sacrifice embodies the highest traditions of service, courage, and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation,” the statement added.

The military disclosed that three CJTF members were also killed during the encounter, while injured personnel were airlifted by the Air Component Command for medical treatment.

“Three members of the CJTF also fell alongside troops, while those wounded have been promptly airlifted by the Air Component Command and are currently in stable condition while receiving appropriate medical care,” it said.

Despite the casualties, the military said troops remained firmly in control of the base and continued clearance and exploitation operations in the surrounding area.

Operation HADIN KAI noted that the failed attack highlighted what it described as the growing desperation of terrorist groups facing sustained military pressure across the North-East.

The military added that additional troops and critical combat assets had been deployed to strengthen security operations and ensure the continued protection of communities in the region.