Following a plea by a member of House of Representatives, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, for a major overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture due to persistent terrorist attacks, the Afenifere Youth Vanguard for Peace in Nigeria (AYPN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to dismiss any underperforming security officials.
During a plenary session, Gagdi decried the increasing brazenness of terrorist operations, citing a recent attack in Borno State where insurgents overran military bases and seized 40 tanks and military-grade equipment.
The incident, he warned, raises serious questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s territorial security.
Reacting to the lawmaker’s concerns, AYPN President Olatunji Fadare, in a statement on Sunday, condemned the current state of leadership in the defence ministry, urging President Bola Tinubu to act decisively.
“There is no excuse for what is happening in the defence ministry. The ministry is not a contracting firm or a reward system for political loyalty. It’s the backbone of Nigeria’s safety,” Fadare said.
The group accused the ministry of ignoring warnings from governors and lawmakers, particularly referencing Gagdi’s complaint that the Defence Ministry downplayed threats raised by the Borno State governor.
“When people on the ground raise alarm and the minister of defence responds with propaganda, it shows the ministry has lost its moral compass. Every time they undermine a governor or legislator speaking for their people, they strengthen the terrorists,” Fadare added.
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The AYPN urged President Tinubu to restructure the country’s defence setup and prioritise competence over loyalty.
With killings, kidnappings, and setbacks in military operations on the rise, the group warned that continued inaction would erode public confidence in the federal government.
“The blood of our soldiers, our children, and our people cries out for justice. And justice starts with removing those who have failed to protect us,” Fadare concluded.
