Abdulillahi Yakassai, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), has revealed that worsening insecurity across Nigeria is affecting President Tinubu’s rest.
Yakassai made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.
“The security situation in some parts of the country has really been subdued, but new tactics are emerging, like what we see in Kwara State very unfortunate. Even the president is having sleepless nights because every week he holds a Security Council meeting in the Presidential Villa to address this insecurity,” Yakassai said.
He acknowledged that tackling insurgency has grown more difficult as groups adopt guerrilla-style tactics. “It’s very hard to tackle. We have come from a long-standing crisis, and it has been ongoing. You can’t just blame this government for it,” he said.
Yakassai also suggested that some insecurity may be politically motivated, saying, “Some elements are against this government and are instigating insecurity to give the new administration a bad name.”
Despite the challenges, he highlighted areas where security has improved, including regions between Abuja and Kaduna, as well as Zamfara State.
“Some places where there was massive insecurity have really subsided. But they have changed tactics because it’s now guerrilla warfare. They have moved to Niger State, Kwara State, and immediately the president appointed the Inspector-General of Police, his first point of call was to Kwara State, as far as Kaiama, where these activities are happening,” Yakassai explained.
He expressed optimism that the government’s ongoing efforts would gradually curb the menace. “We know a lot needs to be done to curb this insecurity, but I believe with time, and if all hands are put on deck, it will continue to decline until we eliminate the insecurity situation,” he added.
