Former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai has attributed the rising wave of insecurity, banditry and school abductions in Nigeria to political transitions and the activities of politicians who allegedly benefit from criminal violence.

Buratai made the remarks during an interview on TVC News while reacting to the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State. According to the former army chief, some politicians have historically recruited and sponsored criminal elements for political purposes, only for such groups to later evolve into terrorist and bandit networks.

“Unfortunately, the plain truth is that some politicians benefit from the activities of these terrorists,” he alleged. Buratai said insecurity often escalates during periods of political transition, when security operations may face disruptions and funding challenges.

He noted that terrorist groups and bandits appear to intensify their activities during election seasons and transitions between administrations. “You discover that these terrorists or insurgents have a particular pattern, mainly when there are political activities or when there are transitions from one administration to the other,” he said. The former military chief attributed the trend partly to delays in funding and operational adjustments that can accompany changes in government, creating opportunities for criminal groups to exploit security gaps.

Commenting on the recent school abduction in Oyo State, Buratai urged Nigerians to appreciate the complexities involved in hostage rescue operations, stressing that the safety of victims must remain the top priority. He cautioned against hasty military action that could endanger abducted students and teachers, describing rescue missions as delicate operations that require intelligence, patience and precision.

While acknowledging the capacity of security agencies to track communications and gather intelligence, he maintained that protecting hostages should take precedence during rescue efforts. Buratai also reiterated his opposition to the payment of ransom to kidnappers, warning that it encourages further criminal activity.

“Paying ransom is very counter-productive,” he said, adding that such payments strengthen the operational capacity of kidnappers and embolden them to carry out more attacks. To address the security crisis, Buratai advocated a comprehensive strategy that includes decentralising counter-terrorism operations, strengthening security institutions and rebuilding public confidence.

He called for the establishment of state-level branches of the National Security Adviser’s Counter-Terrorism Centre, equipped with modern surveillance technology and operational facilities. The former army chief also urged increased recruitment into the military and police, improved training programmes and better welfare packages for security personnel.

In addition, he called on the Federal Government to engage more directly with communities affected by insecurity through high-level visits and sustained communication aimed at reassuring citizens and strengthening cooperation with security agencies.

According to Buratai, defeating terrorism and banditry will require not only military action but also strong political will, effective intelligence gathering and decisive action against those who profit from insecurity. He stressed that lasting peace can only be achieved when political actors stop exploiting violence for personal gain and governments at all levels work closely with communities to address the root causes of insecurity.