Prince Adewale Adebayo, a former Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, accused the federal government on Thursday of hiding the truth about Nigeria’s security crisis and urged stronger leadership to end banditry and terrorism.
Adebayo told listeners on Nigeria Info that the country faces a “truth deficit,” saying officials often claim progress while communities still suffer attacks, kidnappings and shallow mass graves.
He criticized President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the military, calling him the “wrong commander-in-chief,” and said troop morale and military procurement are plagued by corruption. Adebayo said soldiers must be rotated fairly, commanders must lead from the front, and operations should use community knowledge to cut off terrorists’ local support.
The former candidate warned that recent promotions and ministerial changes amount to window dressing. He suggested a single, committed commander-in-chief who directly oversees operations, communicates with field officers and stops corrupt practices in procurement and deployment.
Adebayo also questioned official claims about arrests and prosecutions, asking where detained bandits and successful prosecutions can be seen. He called for magistrates to be empowered locally to issue arrest warrants across all districts.
The commentator said help from foreign partners can be useful, but responsibility for security remains with Nigeria. He urged practical, on-the-ground solutions to restore safety so Nigerians can sleep, farm and send their children to school without fear. He said citizens expect clear, verifiable reports and accountability so they can judge real progress.
