Former minister Rotimi Amaechi, who previously served as Minister of Transportation has issued a sharp critique of the federal government’s counterterrorism approach, arguing that despite years of heavy military spending, Nigeria still lacks the political will to confront the roots of insecurity.
Speaking in an interview, he stated that Nigeria’s security architecture remains reactive rather than proactive, with political interference, insufficient intelligence coordination, and inconsistent community engagement undermining progress.
He warned that military operations alone cannot end terrorism unless paired with humanitarian interventions, fair governance, socioeconomic investment, and justice mechanisms that address local grievances. According to him, insecurity has persisted because political leaders often avoid tough decisions especially when powerful economic and political interests benefit from the chaos.
The comments have stirred debate among security experts, with some agreeing that Nigeria’s counterterrorism framework requires a complete overhaul.
