Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has criticized the security situation in Nigeria, arguing that government claims of progress against terrorism are contradicted by the continued loss of lives across the country.
In a strongly worded statement, Melaye said Nigeria has become a nation that no longer mourns its dead with shock but instead keeps count of recurring tragedies, ranging from terrorist attacks and kidnappings to the deaths of senior military officers.
The former lawmaker questioned President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day assertion that terrorism-related deaths had reduced by 81 percent since 2015 and that more than 124,000 insurgents had surrendered. According to him, such statistics appear disconnected from the realities faced by citizens and security personnel on the ground.
“There is a particular cruelty in the way Nigeria now counts its dead, not as a nation in shock, but as a nation keeping score and anticipating more,” Melaye stated.
He cited the deaths of senior military officers as evidence of the persistent security challenges confronting the nation. Melaye referenced the case of Brigadier General Musa Uba, commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, who was reportedly captured and killed by ISWAP fighters in November 2025 after becoming separated from his troops during an ambush.
He also recalled the death of Brigadier General Oseni Omoh Braimah, commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, who was killed in April 2026 when insurgents reportedly overran a military formation.
Melaye argued that the continued targeting of top military commanders raises serious questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security architecture and the government’s ability to fulfill its constitutional obligation to protect lives and property.
Quoting Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, the former senator maintained that the reality on the ground does not reflect the assurances given by political leaders.
He further questioned the management of public funds allocated to security, noting that trillions of naira have been spent over the years while insecurity remains widespread across several parts of the country.
